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T. H. MURNANE, 

f this book, was a famous old-time ball player, and is now 

■ading authorities on the game; is sporting editor of the 

'»e," President of the New England League, and member 

i f Arbitration of the National Association of Professional 

Base Ball Clubs. 



I\ 



HOW TO PLAY 
BASE BALL 




BY T. H. MURNANE 



Copyright 

1903 

by 

American 

Sports 
Publishing 
Company 



NEW YORK 

AMERICAN SPORTS PUBLISHING CO. 
i6 AND i8 Park Place 



THt LIBRARY OF 
CONGRESS, 

Twc Copies Received 

APR 10 1903 

Copyright Entry 
ClisS a XXc. No. 



COPY B. 



ho3 



INDEX 

PAGE 

Introduction 7 

How TO Become a Good Batter. 

By Napoleon Lajoie 15 

By James Collins , .. 17 

By Hugh Jennings 17 

By Jesse Tannehill. ig 

How TO Run the Bases. 

By Jack Doyle 25 

By Frank L. Chance 29 

Advice to Base Runners. 

By James E. Sullivan, Secretary-Treasurer A . A, U 35 

How TO Become a Good Pitcher. 

By *Cy yozHng. . . ,1 .l.,X. .1 43 

By *''7^u3e^ WaScleli: . .\ 47 

By, Ber4 Clinging ham,. ^..._, 49 

Qn CCTR^E'PrfckrNG. ' *•* 

By Cy Young, James J. Callahan, Frank Donahue, Vic 
Willis, William Dineen, Charley Nichols 55 

V to Become a Good Catcher. 

By M. J. Kittridge 61 

/t y William Sullivan 65 

How to Play First Base. 

By fhn- '^ Jennings 71 



INDEX— Contin ued. 

How TO Play Second Base. page 

By Napoleon Lajoie 75 

How TO Play Third Base. 

By James Collins ^g 

How TO Play Short Stop. 

By Herman Long. , „ 83 

How TO Play the Infield. 

By Charles A . Comiskey 87 

How TO Play the Outfield. 

By Fred Clarke g3 

The Earmarks of a Ball Player. 

By John J. McGraw ♦ ' g5 

Good Advice for Players. 

By T. H. Murnane 98 

What a Player Should Use 100 

What a Player Should Wear 109 



In the arrangement of this book the publishers have been materi- 
ally benefited by courtesies extended to them by the New York 
Evening Journal, New York Evening World, Chicago Record-Herald, 
Cincinnati Commercial-Tribune^ Pittsburg Times, New York Evening 
Telegram and the Boston Globe. 



INTRODUCTION 



To teach the youth how to play our national game of base ball 
is the ©bject of this book. 

The amateur player will find much to interest him, and even the 
leading professionals can pick up valuable points by perusing the 
instructions offered by the genuine stars of the game. 

There has been no effort to pad the advice given, but every 
line is full of meat for the ball player who is anxious to become 
proficient in some one of the nine positions on a team, as well 
as to hit the ball and run the bases, perchance later on become 
a member of some champion aggregation which has pulled off 
the honors by heady work and team play. 

It would be a rare thing to find an American youth past the 
age of ten who is not familiar with the simple rules of the 
game, and therefore the idea will be to teach those who are posted 
on the rules and have more or less faced the music in some sort 
of game. 

In base ball each position calls for a peculiar style of player, 
and the king of third basemen might be a failure at first base. 
Therefore, it pays to work at each and all positions before choos- 
ing the place you would care to fill on a team. For example, the 
catcher must be a sure line thrower, also the third baseman ; next 
comes the shortstop. Outside of those positions, throwing is not 
as necessary. Usually the poor throwers, but good batsmen, are 
placed at first base and in the outfield. 

You will find good batsmen retained for the outfield vl^en 
but for the large mitts they would be utter failures when tryin*;^ 
to stop a grounder or catch a fly. 

The majority of outfielders are left handed batsmen, and there- 
fore more valuable as run getters than the right banders, simply 
because they havek the advantage of a start from the home plate 
after hitting the ball, and make the base twenty per cent, oftener 



JENNINGS ^ 
Ready to hit while the man on the base runs. Takes the bat up to make 
sure of meeting the ball squarely. Good form. 



Hozv to Play Base Ball. 9 

than the right handed men. The only position in the infield for 
a left handed thrower is first base. Therefore, a left handed 
thrower has but five positions where he can shine on a ball team, 
viz. : pitcher, first base and the three outfield positions. 

The left handed pitchers soon wear out, as the work comes 
too near the heart ; so, after all, first base and the outfield alone 
is left for the left handed thrower. When a player can throw 
right handed and hit naturally left handed, he becomes a valuable 
man for a ball team. 

When starting out, favor left handed hitting, as you will have 
less out curves to judge, owing to the scarcity of left hand pitchers 
in the business, and again the advantage you will gain in getting 
oflf the mark to first after hitting the ball. 

Left handed throwing should be avoided when possible, as the 
ball always curves from a left handed throw, and while many 
are quite accurate, the ball is most difficult to hold from the pe- 
culiar spin given to the ball ; in fact, the game of ball from a 
fielding standpoint was never made for left banders outside the 
position of first base, and even there the left bander is handi- 
capped by having to turn his bare left hand to the runner when 
the right hand man can protect himself with his big mitt. 

The rule to-day in base ball is for the manager who is sup- 
posed to be familiar with every phase of the game and has the 
faculty to size up the talent to select the timber for his ball team, 
picking each man for a particular position, including a utility 
player. After selecting the players the next thing is to pick out 
the right player to captain the team. This player must be able 
to work with the manager and the other members of the team. 
The manager should give his orders to the captain and not un- 
dertake to meddle with the captain's prerogative. 

The manager has actually grown to be more of a peacem r 
from the bench than a directing general, so advanced have bee 
the members of the leading teams. 

A captain should be an outfielder if possible, as he will be in 
a position to observe everything that is going on. The assistant 
captain should be an infielder, and direct the plays on the inside. 



-5 






.^:\. 







LAJOIE. , 

His feet are set tirmly on the ground before throwing, and he keeps the 
"> ball high, with an overhand motion, f 



How to Play Base Ball. ii 

This Is not necessary to good ball playing, but has proven to be 
a splendid plan, and I think the best. 

The captain of a ball team should be up to every fine point, 
be able to work out combinations, get the best work out of his 
team without apparently driving them, battle for their rights 
open and above board for the effect it may have on peculiar tem- 
peraments, and teach his men to hold their temper in check. 
Erratic, hot headed ball players will often throw away good 
chances to win a game. Nothing is ever gained by the loss of 
temper. This is especially true of the pitcher, who has the bulk 
of the thinking to do and who Is ever in need of his best judg- 
ment. 

It is remarkable what effect a good captain has on a ball team. 
Players want some one present to appreciate their good work, and 
"Nice play, old man" from the captain on the field means much 
to the earnest player. 

Too much practice Is practically impossible In base ball, as in 
golf, billiards and other clever games, and this Is especially true 
of batting. The players who have given their ideas of how the 
game should be played in this book are each and every one glut- 
tons for practice and would rather play ball than eat. 

Hitting to right field by right handed batsmen and chopping to 
left field by the left banders, as well as laying the ball down 
for a clever bunt Is all the result of practice, and the more prac- 
tice the more clever the man. 

It is the duty of the manager to see that his men practice, for 
the captain of a team has all that he cares for in handling the 
men when In a game. The unwritten rules are something like 
this : The manager Is the one who has the interests of the club 
owners at heart, while the captain Is for his players first, la:^ 
and always, at the same time clever enough to get the best worl 
out of the men, which after all is what the owners of a profes- 
sional club appreciate. 

Good form is not essential to fine ball playing; at the same 
time many players have improved by copying the style of clever 
professionals. ^ 




JAMES COLLINS. 
Natural position at the bat, ready for any kind of a pitched ball ; firmly 
set on the right foot. Perfect form. 



how to Play Base Ball. 13 

I think Michael Kelly was the first player to keep his heels 
together and face the pitcher, with bat poised directly in front 
of his face, giving the pitcher no line on what he was about to try 
for. Kelly was one of the best place hitters the game ever pro- 
duced, showing the advantage of his preliminary position at the 
bat. 

Foot-work is almost as necessary in ball playing as it is in the 
art of self defence, and the player who fails to keep his feet 
while fielding a ball can never shine as a star of the game. It 
will be observed that a large number of the great batsmen of the 
present time take hold of the bat several inches from the bottom. 
This gives them more control of the bat and a better chance to 
meet the ball with a short swing. 

Standing up to the plate is the first requirement of a batsman, 
and the player who cannot overcome the habit of pulling away 
will have no chance to become a first-class man with the stick. 
The aggressive batsman is the winner and not the man who goes 
to the plate hoping to work a base on balls. 

Players should never work for records, but go for everything 
in sight, for games won will count more than fine fielding aver- 
ages, where the players failed to take chances and often lost 
games in consequences. 

The great army of ball players, young and old, amateur as well 
as professional, are not always placed where they can see and 
learn the fine points of the game, therefore a careful reading and 
honest digestion of the advice found in this book should be of 
great help to the ambitious ball player who cares to shine as an 
exponent of the national game. T. H, M. 




LAJOIE. 

The greatest batsman of the age. Stands in a position to go after any 
ball sent overthe plate. Holds the bat well up the handle. His own style. 



How to Play Base Ball. I 5 

I HOW TO BECOME A GOOD BATTER g 

The most natural batsman the game ever produced is without 
doubt Napoleon Lajoie of the Cleveland club of the American 
League. He says : 

BY NAPOLEON LAJOIE 

*'I go to the plate with the idea of hitting the first good ball 
sent )jp, as I believe in working on the aggressive. In this way 
I am seldom caught for a strike unless where I miss the ball. 
Every man should handle a bat in the most natural manner and 
not try to copy others in the business. 

''Foot work has a lot to do with the success of a ball player, 
and especially at the bat, and the pitcher is more apt to find this 
weakness to his liking than any other, I am ready to step in any 
direction with my right foot for pivot. I bat mostly with a 
wrist movement, as you can get a quicker move on and allow the 
ball to come closer before timing it. I never care to anticipate 
the kind of a ball the pitcher is about to deliver, as I find a low 
ball no more difficult than a high one. A ball wide of the plate can 
be chopped off to right field, while one a bit close can be turned 
to account by a proper swing. This can be accomplished by taking 
the bat up short, as it requires less swing and can be worked 
with a snap, which will have just as good effect when it meets 
the ball and the batter is less likely to send up weak flies. 

"Practice to meet with a sharp snap every ball that comes over 
the plate, and you will find it to your advantage, even when 
picking out a good ball, or working a pitcher into a corner, where 
he must put them dead over. 

"To hit a high ball the bat must be swung overhand to get 
the right force just a shade late, while a low ball must be timed 
well in front of, the plate with an underhand swing. 

"Never pull away from the plate, as the chances are the ball 



How to Play Base Ball. i-j 

would be a weak fly. I hold the bat well in front and never 
start to pull back until the ball is under way when I step in, 
being careful about finding a slow ball worked with a change 
of pace. Use a heavy bat. I would advise every player to have 
his own sticks and take care of them." 

^ , 

James Collins, of the Boston American League club, is consid- 
ered one of the best place hitters in the base ball profession. 
Collins says : 

BY JAMES COLLINS 

"Always be ready for the first good ball pitched, but do not 
always figure that the pitcher is about to put the first one over 
the plate. I stand just a little sideways of the plate, with the 
bat resting lightly on the shoulder, until the pitcher starts his 
preliminary swing, when I drop the bat down about to the waist, 
raise it almost perpendicular and then drop it slanting back 
almost level with the waist, bringing it forward after cutting a 
triangle. If the ball is timed I usually hit on a line, but if the 
preliminary swing is poor the ball is likely to go for a fly. 

"I never anticipate the kind of a ball the pitcher is to send 
me, but get ready for anything over the plate and select a curve 
when placing the ball to right field. 

"I set firmly on the right foot and step into the ball, being 
careful not to take too long a stride, as this is likely to cause you 
to lose sight of the ball." 



ii 



Hugh Jennings, the heady player of the Philadelphia League 
Club, says : 

BY HUGH JENNINGS 

"Even a weak batsman can improve his work wonderfully 
by earnest practice. You must go to the plate fully determined 
to hit the ball no matter who the pitcher may be. I take the 
bat up short, as it gives one better control and you can meet a 



Ho%u to Play Base Ball. ig 

ball in close to yon. I hold the bat easily on my shoulder and 
get ready to step with the pitcher's swing, holding my heels 
well together while facing the pitcher. 

"In bunting the bat should be sent well out to meet the ball 
and then gently drawn back on slow pitched balls, while on 
speedy ones the hands should be relaxed as the ball meets the 
stick. This kind of work requires more practice than hitting 
out. 

"With the hit-and-run game it pays to hit the ball when you 
can reach it, as it will often give the runner a chance for third 
base while you are put out at first. 

"It is remarkable how accurately a batsman can meet a pitched 
ball when not hitting, as his line of vision is not interrupted as 
it is when he swings, and for this reason a short swing is the 
best and usually the wrist batsman is the most successful. My 
advice to players is : practice batting all you can and do not be 
particular about picking out all good ones, as you grow too ster- 
eotyped and more easily laid for by the fielders. 



tk 



The following is from the pen of Jesse Tannehill, the star 
pitcher of the Pittsburg team, on batting. Tannehill, though he 
is a pitcher — and few twirlers ever attract prominence as batters — 
is one of the most scientific batsmen in the game. 'He knows 
the art and is well qualified to describe it in an instructive man- 
ner, for, being a pitcher, the man who is paid to prevent batting, 
he is well versed on both sides of the question. 

BY JESSE TANNEHILL 

It has often been said that batters are born, not made ; and, 
while there is more or less truth in this assertion, there is not 
the, least doubt in my mind that a poor batsman can become a 
good one by consistent practice. 

A good eye, of course, is absolutely necessary. Any defection 
in the vision will prove an insurmountable obstacle in the way of 




BERNARD 

Ready to bunt or chop the ball to left. Worked by left-hand batsmen. 
Up to date work. 



Hozv to Play Base Ball. 21 

a player when it comes to hitting. But there are many players 
who have perfect eyes, yet never learn to hit well 

This may be due to various causes. 

An improper stand at the plate will affect the batting of a 
player, yet there is no rule to be lived up to in this, for the rea- 
son that no two men in the business stand exactly alike. Every 
man must suit himself, but, while doing so, he must always bear 
in mind that he must be in a position to get a fair swing at the 
ball. 

Many batters just toe the batters' line; that is, they get as 
close to the plate as the rule will allow. At times this is a good 
trick, for it makes it difficult for the pitcher to get the ball out 
of the way of the bat. 

Billy Hamilton, of the Bostons, is the only player I ever saw 
who stands almost three feet away from the plate. He is an 
exception to the rule, yet one of the best hitters. 

I have always found it policy to so place myself at the plate 
that my eyes are over the side corner. This makes it necessary 
for me to lean back and over. Being a left bander, I place my 
left hand over the right when grasping the bat. This is reversed 
for right-handers. Take a firm hold on the bat and leave the 
foot facing the pitcher barely touch the ground, so that you can 
step forward as you hit. Be sure to have a free swing of the 
arms. When you have this and take the forward step as you 
swing you will get many a hit, even when you do not meet the 
ball squarelv on the nostril- 

That the left handed batsman has a big advantage over the 
right handed man when it comes to getting down to first base is 
plainly shown in the accompanying illustrations. His swing 
throws him directly into his stride, and he is running as soon 
as the bat meets the ball. The right handed man, when he swings, 
throws himself out of his stride, must recover and then start. 
Furthermore, the left bander is always nearer first base than 
the right hander, and in a close shave every inch counts. 

Though bunting has been one of the features of the game for 
many years, it seems strange that there are so few players expert 




WILLIS, 

The greatest drop-ball pitcher of the age, in position when the ball leaves 

his hand. Very hard on the arm, as well as requiring 

a tall man to be effective. 



Ho7i) to Play Base Ball. 23 

at the art of laying the ball down. The bat should not be held 
firmly, and the ball should be allowed to hit it. 

The most essential thing to watch when desiring to bunt is 
that the ball be over the plate. Don't go after it unless it is 
waist high, until you are forced to. Trying to bunt wild pitches 
is a failing which many players have and they are the ones who 
never learn to bunt. When a pitcher expects a bunt he keeps the 
ball high, for it is almost impossible to bunt a high ball. When 
it comes to bunting, the left handed batsman has so much the bet- 
ter of the right hander that it is seldom, indeed, that a right 
handed man beats out a bunt. The left hander can place his bat 
against the ball and be away from the plate before it has hit the 
ground. The right hander can hardly do this without making a 
failure of his efforts to bunt. 

It is not a bit harder to hit a curved ball than a straight one, 
if you know it is coming. The pitcher always tries to deliver just 
what the batsman does not expect. Some batsmen are good at 
guessing. A batter should study the pitcher always. By keeping 
his eye well peeled he can often detect a curve just as it breaks 
in its course and in plenty of time to land on it. 

Batting requires lots of practice. Confidence is half the battle. 



How to Play Base Ball. 25 

HOW TO RUN THE BASES 



John Doyle, better known as "Jack" Doyle, gives the following 
advice to base-runners : 

BY "TACK'' DOYLE 

"A good base-runner is dreaded more than a good batsman 
when the bases are clear and the score close. When a player 
is both a batter and base-runner he is indeed a most valuable 
asset for a ball team. 

"It is not the player who has the greatest number of stolen 
bases to his credit that is the most valuable man to a ball team ; 
but rather the player who has the largest percentage of successful 
steals out of the chances taken. 

"In looking for a great number of stolen bases there have 
been cases where the player has taken chances where he had 
little to gain and the chances ten to one against him. The clever 
base-runner is the man who will take long chances when the 
occasion requires it, and a steal may result in a victory. With 
two out and a man at second, for example, the runner should 
never attempt to steal third base, unless in rare cases where a 
pitcher is wild and the catcher likely to have a passed ball, and 
even then the runner should be sure of a fine lead. The first 
move in base-running is leaving for first base. Never make the 
mistake of taking for granted that you are out simply because 
the ball was not hit safely; in fact, you should run with more 
determination and to a finish when the ball is hit to the infield, 
for in this case the ball must be picked up, thrown accurately, 
and held by the baseman with one foot on the base, and a fielder 
is more apt to make a mistake when hurried by a fast man 
to first. 

"In over-ruiining first base it is well to note where the ball is. 




DINNEEN 

Throwing his famous drop out-curve to the bat. On his toes as the ball 
leaves his fingers. 



How to Play Base Ball. 27 

On a fly ball to the outfield you should turn short, as in the case 
of a muff, you can keep on to second, and a good start means 
everything, as it hurries the throw from the outfield. If possible 
cut the bases from the inside when trying to run out" a long drive 
for more than one base. 

"Getting a start for second base is perhaps the most important 
thing for a base-runner to learn next to sliding. A player taking 
a lead off first base should ever be firmly set and ready to go 
either way. If you take too much ground the pitcher will pay 
you particular attention and hold you down five times out of 
six ; therefore, a safe distance away is the best and by calling 
the turn you get the start, and everything is in the start, as in 
sprint running. 

"Keep well back of the line and return wide of the baseman 
at first. After you once get away never look back to see the 
ball but judge from the action of the player about to cover the 
base. When the ball is thrown high go in feet first on the inside 
of the base. When noting the fielder reaching forward to take 
the ball, slide outside on the breast, unless so sure of your base 
that you can afford to keep your feet and catch the bag with your 
hand. By practice one can keep wide and reach the base. Never 
take it for granted that the ball is in the hands of the fielder 
and that you cannot make another base on the play. If a wild 
throw or a muffed ball, you are in a position to keep on to third 
base if you are on the alert. In taking a fair chance for third 
the ball may be thrown wild and a run is very often the result. 

"Coaching amounts to little or nothing to a base-runner out- 
side of third base. Here he should keep an eye on the coacher 
when coming from second base when the ball is back of him, 
either as a hit or wild throw. By a move of the hand the coacher 
can hold the runner, or by waving the hand as a signal to keep 
on make a short turn and keep on for home, never losing an 
inch of ground by turning to look after the ball. 

"In turning third base under a full head of steam the runner 
can be assisted materially by a gentle blocking by the coacher, 
who is standing a few feet back of the base well to the home 




RUSIE. 

A restful position while waiting to take or give the signal. Good form. 



How to Play Base Ball. 29 

base side. This is especially true of heavy men who take a wide 
turn and are not particularly sure on their feet. 

"When working the hit-and-run game, or about to make a 
steal from second to third, it is well to have signs and work 
together. If a clever man is at the bat a base-runner has the 
advantage by knowing what the batter is after ; in fact, a base- 
runner can often help out the batsman by his movements. This, 
however, is what is known as heady ball and the most difficult 
thing in the world to teach by theory and usually a very hard 
proposition to overcome with the major league players. 

"A good base-runner in a team will often get the whole crowd 
on edge and it is remarkable what even slow runners can do 
in this line when working together, for nothing upsets an oppo- 
nent any more than men taking chances on the bases when the 
score is close. When your team is well in the lead it is then 
time to play them safe, and cut out the base-running. 

"The essentials for a good base-runner are first : a good start ; 
second, courage in sliding feet first or head first, as the occasion 
requires ; third, keeping wide awake to every opening and being 
sure of your ground before you take a chance." 

tk 

BY FRANK L, CHANCE 

In the consideration of base stealing the subject naturally 
divides itself into three distinct parts — the start from the bag, 
the speed on the base lines and the sHde at the end. While speed 
is a natural gift, a player may be taught much about getting a 
start and sliding. In fact, I think the tendency in many clubs is 
to neglect the practice in this most important department of the 
game. With a runner leading off a base the coacher's cry of "You 
watch his arm and I'll watch the baseman" is familiar to most 
patrons of base ball. This is in almost direct opposition to the 
plan I pursue in gettmg away from a base. I almost neglect the 
baseman, and instead of watching the pitcher's hands or arms 
to see when he is going to throw, I watch his feet. After you 




McGINxMl\ , 

Who does all of his pitching from one position and depends on an all 
round assortment of curves, with a phenomenal raise ball. 



How to Play Base Ball. 31 

have watched the delivery of a pitcher a few times you can tell 
from the movement of his feet when he is going to deliver the 
ball to the batter, and thus get a good start. This is half of base 
stealing, for bases are generally stolen on the pitchers and not 
on the catchers. If I am not familiar with a pitcher's delivery, 
I wait a little while for his foot movements before attempting to 
steal many bases. 

Dismissing the subject of speed, which is not an acquired art, 
the method of sliding comes next. Two slides are practiced by 
base-runners, the dive with head and hands first to the bag, and 
the twist of the body, by which the feet are thrown to the bag. 
I use both systems, according to the position of the opposing base- 
man in covering the bag.- If he stands behind the bag prepared 
to touch me as I come in, I dive and slide with hands out- 
stretched, for there is small danger of injury and the hands 
offer a small area for him to touch. On the other hand, if the 
baseman receives the throw or takes his position in front of the 
bag, I throw my body with a twist toward the bag, feet foremost. 
You thus have an opportunity to throw the body out of his reach 
and get in behind him, and again there is less danger of injury. 
If you attempt a head foremost slide with the baseman in front 
of the bag, he is likely to block you or tag you hard on the head 
with the ball, putting you out of the game. Even if he has no 
intention of hurting you, he is making the play hurriedly and has 
no time to choose a hard spot to tag. With your feet going 
toward the bag, he is likely to respect your spikes, and not at- 
tempt to block you, and again he may altogether miss touching 
you. 

I do not believe in taking a big lead and then dancing along 
the base lines, tempting the pitcher and catcher to throws. Of 
course a runner must have a certain lead, but if he gets too far, 
he is off balance instead of ready to run when the ball is delivered. 
I think a runner is more successful when he takes a fair lead, 
runs up with the pitcher's motions and then runs back on the 
catch. Thus he is in motion forward when the ball goes to the 
batsman, and can race on if a hit is made. If he has already 




MATTHEWSON " 

Showing the position as the ball leaves his hand for a fast high ball and 
a drop. Good form. 



How to Play Base Ball, 



33 



decided to make an attempted steal, of course he starts as soon 
as the pitcher begins his delivery, for then any hesitation on the 
pitcher's part means a balk. The advisability of^drawing throws 
is sometimes made plain -with a man on second or third, but 
depends on the conditions of the game. The only place where I 
make a practice of trying to draw a throw from the catcher is 
at third base. There I take a good lead and return on the inside 
of the line between the catcher and the baseman. Then there -is 
a chance to let the ball hit you on the shoulder, where it does not 
hurt much, and break for the plate as the baseman chases for the 
ball. His chances for muffing the throw also are greater when 
you are between him and the plate. 

The natural base to steal is second, for from the middle cushion 
it is possible to score on a single. It is much harder to steal 
third and the advantage is not much greater except on a long 
outfield fly with one out or a difficult infield chance. When two 
men are out it is a good time to take a chance on stealing second, 
for, if you are on first, it will take two singles to carry you home, 
while if you gain second one hit is likely to do it. With a man 
on first and none out the natural play is a sacrifice, especially if 
the score is at all close. With one out the batsman should gen- 
erally steal, but, of course, these situations are generally gov- 
erned by the progress of the game and the score. 

The time to take chances on the bases is when your team is 
ahead. Then use all your daring and keep the lead. But if a team 
is three or four runs behind, the advisability of attempting to steal 
bases recklessly is questionable, for it generally takes a batting 
rally to win out at such a stage, and a runner may stop an in- 
cipient rally by getting put out on attempted steals. As a gen- 
eral rule, too, the club in the lead is playing better ball and more 
likely to cut off any stolen bases. The losing team, on the other 
hand, is more likely to go to pieces and thus reward daring 
work. 

In base-running, especially in stealing second, there is much 
in the batter and base-runner working together. There is usually 
a signal from the base-runner to the batter, or vice versa, when a 



Bl 


!!3H 


^^D^P 


;wi, ""^H^l 


^H| 


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I^^H 


^m 


/ iS 




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I^^^Hbab^ 


IHBBIH 



KITSON 

Just before the preliminary move, gaining speed as he unwinds for the 

final drive to the plate. 



Hoxv to Play Base Ball. 35 

base is about to be stolen. When a signal is once given the 
runner should generally go down on the next ball pitched. In 
such a case the batter will attempt a hit if the ball is near 
enough, although he does not necessarily strike at it, for with the 
increased control of pitchers the practice of pitching wide to the 
batsmen to hold the runners closer to their bases is now common. 
The best pitchers will often waste two and even three balls on a 
batter to give the catcher a better chance to make the throw if the 
runner attempts a steal. Then the pitcher will put the ball over. 
While the runner and batsman both know that the ball is likely 
to be hit, the catchers and fielders also are alert for the play, 
and will try for a double play on an infield hit. If the batsman 
is in the hole — that is, with two strikes and no balls, two strikes 
and one ball, or even two strikes and two balls — the base-runner 
should take more chances just to diminish the possibility of this 
same double play. All these general statements are varied in a 
measure by the situation, but they serve to show the practice of 
base-running as played in the National League. In the strategy 
of these plays the question of speed comes up. There is danger 
in coaching a slow runner to take chances which might be com- 
paratively easy for a faster man, and it is in these situations that 
judgment must be used. 

ADVICE TO BASE RUNNERS 

By J. E. Sullivan, Secretary of the Amateur Athletic Union. 

Those who are close followers of base ball and have watched 
its progress and improvement are very ready to admit that the 
majority of ball players do not improve as base-runners, and 
after watching the game year in and year out I am convinced 
that not enough of attention is paid to that end of the game. 
To be sure, some players are natural runners, are built or it, 
and as a result have gained the reputation of being fast men. 
But the average player seems to take no interest whatever in 
developing his speed At the ball park previous to a game you 
will see the players practising — the pitcher warming up, the 



How to Play Base Ball. 37 

catcher throwing to the bases, the batter lining them out, the 
fielder returning the ball to the home plate — but to my recollec- 
tion I have never had the pleasure of seeing three or four of the 
boys get on the mark and practice at running the distance from 
one base to another — 30 yards, which is, to my way of thinking, 
where the mistake is made, and the captain that wants to get a 
good fast team will get his players out and practice them a little 
at sprinting and particularly at starting. 

There has been, I know, some objection to training ball players 
by running them. Running, walking and gymnasium work will 
fit a player for the season, and it certainly should be no hardship 
on any player who is only called upon to play ball for a few 
hours each day to learn how to sprint. The argument has been 
made to me by a ball player that if the average ball player was 
to be trained like a sprinter or a distance runner it would tire 
him out, that he would become a physical wreck and incapacitated 
for other work. Such argument is pure nonsense. If there is 
one man on a team that should not be called upon to sprint a 
great deal, that man would be the pitcher; for, from a physical 
standpoint, he is worked harder than any other man on the field, 
and the strain is greater, and it is only natural that club captains 
who have a good pitcher should nurse him all they can. On the 
other hand, it must be admitted that there are many ball players 
on the field to-day who are physically unable to play, and are 
holding their positions to a certain extent on their old time repu- 
tation. There is no necessity nor reason for a ball player 
being fat, flabby and out of condition and being unable to run 
around the bases, and in the spring of the year if the captain of 
the club would insist that each day the members of the team de- 
vote ten or fifteen minutes to base-running by hitting the ball 
and running it out to first it would develop base-running. There 
is no necessity of a ball player being a Duffey, a Wefers, or a 
Kraenzlein, but there is not a man playing ball to-day that could 
not be taken in hand by a professional trainer like Mike Murphy 
of Yale and mxade into a good base-runner. This would apply 
to the man who weighs 200 pounds, as well as the man who 



How to Play Base Ball. 39 

weighs 125, or some of the fast sprinters in the world have 
been large, heavy men. If the players were educated to get on 
their toes, get set and move with the same eye that they use 
in hitting the ball, there would be a revolution in base-running, 
and it is sure to come some day. It strikes me that this is the 
particular department of the game that has been neglected. How 
often do we see a batsman go to the plate, dig his heels into the 
ground as though he was going to become a statue there, and 
when he hits the ball, if he has an idea the hit is not a good one, 
he will look at the ball, jog about twenty feet, and then stop, 
often to be greeted by a roar of laughter from the grand stand 
if he is on the visiting team, or hisses if on the home team, when 
his little pop fly has not been caught, but handled in time to put 
him out when he would otherwise have been safe had he con- 
tinued running at top speed. If that player was drilled to thor- 
oughly understand that when he hits the ball, no matter what 
happens, he is to sprmt right for first base and take his chances, 
there would be more games won. Many players are guilty of 
this practice, and captains should discourage it, if necessary by a 
strong fine and suspension. 

When on the bases the player should be taught to get on his toes 
ready to start quickly and not stand as though riveted to the 
ground. It is not necessary for a ball player to take too much 
ground in order to steal a base, he can be careful at the same 
tipie. But the ball player that has developed a good set of sprint- 
ing muscles can stand on his toes and will always be ready to 
start in an intelligent way the minute the opportunity comes to 
him to steal a base. An active man, a man lively on his feet, will 
also annoy the pitcher, because the pitcher will know that he 
is a fast man, trained in the art of sprinting, and he won't waste 
strength and time trying to nail him at first. Everyone who has 
ever attended ball games has seen some big lumbering fellow 
leave first to steal second and be easily put out, to the great dis- 
gust of the "rooters." Now that big man, unless he has entirely 
neglected himself in so far as his health is concerned, can be 
immeasurably improved. Of course, if he is a man that is ad- 




RUSIE. 

Position just after throwing a fast ball to the batter. 



How to Play Base Ball 41 

dieted to dissipation he will hardly like to stand the strain to 
take a little training in the sprinting line, but a man that wants 
to make a record as a base-runner and hold his own up in fast 
company must be in pretty good physical condition to run the 
bases, and it is about time that captains of a ball team realize that 
in order to have a good lively game that the men should be 
trained and trained properly. I would suggest that if a captain 
cannot secure the services of a professional trainer he take them 
in hand himself and in the spring of the year insist that every 
man on that team practice sprinting for a short while each day. 
It won't be as hard on the ball player as it would be on the man 
who never did any running ; therefore, there should be a series 
of races — scratch and handicap — among the members of the team, 
and the man on that particular team that is noted as the fastest 
sprinter and a good base-runner should be appointed as coach 
in that particular line with absolute power over the men to insist 
that a certain amount of base-running be done every day prior 
to the practice games. If the players will do a light amount of 
running at the start, say a couple of hundred yards the first two 
or three days they are out, at moderate speed, and then increase 
the speed as the muscles become accustomed to the work, after 
three or four weeks a player will find that he will be in good 
condition to make a home run and reach the home plate without 
dropping in a faint. 

To any man who has followed athletics it is ridiculous to see 
many of the acts of our ball players. A good batter will make 
a long hit, good or a home run, and when he does reach the 
home plate he is in such a dilapidated condition physicaljy that 
he is hardly able to go to the bench. That should not be so. A 
ball player that is paid a fancy salary or playing ball for a couple 
of hours each day should think enough of his physical condition 
to perfect himself in every department and the player that can't 
go around the bases two or three times during a game, with a 
rest of twenty minutes between, is certainly not an athlete — and 
the all around ball player should be an athlete. 




CY YOUNG 

Half way through his preliminary swing before delivering the ball to 
the bat, this time for a raise ball. 



I 



11 



How to Play Base Ball. 43 

B HOW TO BECOME A GOOD PITCHER I 



BY CY YOUNG 

"Command of the ball is the first essential to success in pitch- 
ing. A good, fast, overhand ball, kept high, is the one I depend 
on mostly when anxious to get an out. 

"I take the ball with two forefingers and thumb for all styles 
of work, as it gives me the best control. 

"Straight balls over the corners will often prove more effec- 
tive than the widest curves. This style is of little use, however, 
unless the umpire is a good judge of corner work. 

"When in good shape I use a jump ball considerably. It comes 
with extra speed, and if worked well into the batsman is per- 
haps the most difficult ball to hit safe. 

"The ball should be kept high when the batsman is out for a 
sacrifice, and a clever slow ball with a change of pace is very 
effective when you want to see the batsman send up a weak fly. 
The underhand ball with a raise I use but very little, as it has a 
tendency to lame the arm and must be curved as well as raised 
to be effective. 

"Many pitchers are effective until men get on bases, when they 
must shorten their swing. Therefore, a pitcher should have two 
distinct movements. In his preliminary swing, holding men close 
to the bases is one of the important features of the game. 

"A pitcher should throw seldom to the bases unless with a fair 
chance of getting the man. Too much throwing will affect his 
command over the ball and lose the lines he has on the man at 
the bat. 

"There is a vast difference in pitching to right and left handed 
batsmen, and I think the left bander the more annoying for a 
right hand pitcher. I work a left hand man with close curves 
about waist high, with a curve on the out corner of the plate. 
As most of the left handers are "choppers," they are ever ready 



How to Play Base Ball, 45 

for speed, and bothered more with curves and a change of pace. 

"It is a very good plan to keep your batter in the hole, or at 
least not get where you must put every ball over the plate. 

"In the everyday run of games, it is not a bad idea to remember 
that seven other men are behind you on the field, ready to handle 
the ball if it comes their way, and with plenty of room. I be- 
lieve in putting the ball over the plate for hitting, trusting to the 
fielders, in this way saving your arm, for, after all, a pitcher 
amounts to but very little unless his pitching arm is strong. 

"Pitchers should practice getting back into position after de- 
livering the ball to the bat, for nothing looks worse than to see 
a weak grounder go bounding through the box with the pitcher 
out of form, after losing his balance. 

"I always size up my batter and, if a new man, try first to 
drive him away from the plate. If he refuses to pull away, I 
know that I have a cool, determined batsman, and the chances 
are, a good one. If I find a batter coming forward to meet the 
ball, I cut out the curves and work both high and low straight 
balls, being careful not to line one about waist high, and yet 
with a batsman -anchored in one position a waist ball close in is 
a most difficult ball to meet square. 

"The preliminary swing is everything to a pitcher. By put- 
ting your shoulder and back muscles into your delivery, you 
will save the arm and be able to keep up speed. A fast straight 
ball kept high, an out curve, a change of pace and the inshoot are 
all the balls I find use for, and I would advise pitchers to get 
perfect control of those four styles before using any other var- 
iety, for, as I said before, control is everything. 

"The successful pitcher, too, is the one who can stand a bad 
deal from the umpire and not grow worried, and often lose con- 
trol of the ball. Try and keep a cool head, for a game is never 
lost until the last man is out, and endeavor to keep your oppo- 
nents' score down, with the hope that your own team may rally 
and win out after an uphill fight. 

"I always start off the season with light work and get my arm 
into condition before taking any long chances with speed." 




The out-curve is produced usually by grasping the ball with the first 
two fingers and the thumb, with the back of the hand turned downward. 
The fingers are pressed firmly against the ball, which is gripped tight. The 
out-curve may be either fast or slow. 




The in-curve is pitched with a side-arm motion, the ball being released 
over the tips of the first two fingers, the arm being swept around with a 
lateral motion. Some pitchers throw an in-curve by grasping the ball 
with all four fingers and permitting it to slip over the tips. 



Hoiv to Play Base Ball. 47 

BY '*RUBE'' WADDELL 

Knowledge of batsmen's weaknesses is one of the first things 
a pitcher ought to have. Just this knowledge keeps many old- 
timers in the game after their pitching arms are not nearly so 
good as those of younger men. When I first began to pitch in 
the National League, or Louisville in 1897, I started a journal 
and jotted down the kind of balls which the different batters 
found most difficult. Then before I pitched I looked into this 
book and refreshed my memory concerning the men I was to 
pitch against. I do this now on new players, but I have in my 
memory the failings of the old-timers. 

When I face a batter new to me, of course I must try to find 
his weak point. I usually first shoot one in high and close, then 
one low and to the outer side of the -plate. These give me a 
pretty good line on what kind of a ball he will try for and which 
one bothers him. I then go on to find the exact place where it is 
the most difficult for him to hit, and after that try to put them 
there constantly. I throw the ball fast and nearly straight to this 
weak point, putting in an occasional curve, so he will not get on 
to my tactics entirely. Of course, accuracy is necessary for this. 

Left handed batters are usually considered less likely to hit 
a left handed pitcher. I suppose this is largely because successful 
left handed pitching is less common than right, but I think there 
is another reason. The most effective ball against a left handed 
batter is one close to him and high. To throw this a right 
handed pitcher is likely to use an out curve, which is much easier 
to throw and broader than an inshoot. Thus the batter with the 
ball coming to him has time to step back and swing. With us 
left banders our oitt curve is away from a left handed batter. 
Thus the left handed batter is driven away from the plate to 
escape being hit, and is in a poor position to swing with the 
ball going away from. him. I seldom try much of a curve myself 
on left banders, however, depending on , a high straight ball 
close to the corner of the plate nearest the batter. 

I have often been asked why "south paws" are more erratic 
and more likely to have bad innings and bad days than right 



Hoio to Play Base Ball. .49 

banders. I don't know, but it is a fact as well tbat left banders 
do not last as long in tbe business as rigbt handed pitcbers. I 
bold to tbe theory, often advanced, tbat it is because the left arm 
is nearest tbe heart and tbe muscles of the heart are thus sub- 
jected to strain. Often after a game all tbe muscles in tbe breast 
and near my heart have been sore, although I have never felt any 
trouble with my heart itself. While left banders are more likely 
to be wild than right banders, when they are effective they usually 
hold the opposing team down to a few hits. Now, I have been 
so wild that I have had to be taken out of the box at times, and 
again it has seemed as if every ball I pitched the opposing team 
could hit, yet I bold tbe strike-out record of the National League 
in recent years. I made this against Chicago while playing with 
Louisville in 1^99. Fourteen of Burns' men fanned in tbat game, 
and the papers all thought I was a great fellow. Then when you 
lose you are a "dub." That's base ball. 

I got my nickname of "Rube" in Franklin, Pa., in 1896, tbe 
first year I played professional ball. I had pitched a morn- 
ing game at Oil City and shut tbe team out 8 to o. In tbe after- 
noon both teams returned to Franklin for another game. The 
man intending to pitch for us got drunk, so I went in again. In 
tbe second inning, with the score 2 to o against us, a line ball 
bit me in tbe forehead and knocked me unconscious for about 
five minutes. I was sore and insisted on pitching out tbe game. 
We beat them 16 to 2, and they did not get another man to first 
base, while I made two home runs, two double-baggers and a 
single. That night the manager of tbe Oil City met me on the 
street and said : "You're a regular robber ; no one but a 'rube' 
could recover from an accident like that and finish the game. 
That fastened the nickname to me and it has stuck. 



1^ 



BY BERT CUNNINGHAM 

Study to control your ball. Some of tbe greatest pitcbers in 
the business have not as good curves as the less successful men, 
but they have what others lack, control of tbe ball. Tbe man 



How to Play Base Ball. 51 

who can put the ball just where he wants it and knows that he 
can do this is the successful pitcher, provided, of course, he has a 
reasonable amount of skill to combine with control. 

Don't make the mistake of throwing too many curves. The 
pitcher who can get along with the least use of curves is likely 
to be successful and last longer, for the throwing of curves is 
hard on the arm. "Save your arm if you want to stay in the 
business" is a good motto. 

Study the batter. Without knowing him you are at sea and 
must try him out to learn his weak points. To be successful in 
fast company a pitcher must learn to field his position and he 
must learn to bat. Many times a pitcher, when his infield is in 
the air can save his own game by fielding. A good fielding pitcher 
has less to contend with than one who cannot field, inasmuch as 
bunting will not be attempted against him.. Practice the fielding 
of bunts continuously. 

In pitching, the out curve is usually the most successful, even 
though considered old fashioned by some. The out curve is 
produced usually by grasping the ball with the first two fingers 
and the thumb, with the back of the hand turned downward. The 
fingers are pressed firmly against the ball, which is gripped tight. 
The out curve may be either slow or fast, and many pitchers who 
depend almost entirely upon change of pace to win use the slow 
and fast out curve as their chief stock in trade. 

The slow curve is pitched with a full arm swing, gripping the 
ball tightly with the fingers the moment it leaves the hand. The 
fast curve is pitched usually by jerking the arm at the moment of 
releasing hold on the ball. This curve was used most success- 
fully by Hughes, Corbett and pitchers of that class, many of 
whom ruined their arms by pitching it because of the strain of 
the jerk. Amos Rusie used this same ball without injuring his 
arm. He had a little short arm motion that avoided the jerk. 
The ball for the drop curve is held in identically the same posi- 
tion, except that the back of the hand is held directly down, the 
arm being brought straight over the shoulder at the moment of 
delivering the ball. 



How to Play Base Ball. 53 

The in curve is pitched, with a side arm motion, the ball being 
released over the tips of the first two fingers, the arm being 
swept around with a lateral motion. Some pitchers pitch an in 
curve grasping the ball with all four fingers and permitting it to 
slip over the tips. Garvin has a peculiar variation, turning his 
hand almost completely over and letting the ball slip between his 
fingers, they being long enough to permit it. 

The raise ball, which usually does not raise, but maintains its 
height instead of dropping, is pitched directly off the tips of 
the fingers with the hand held palm downward. As a matter 
of fact, the ball is held almost exactly alike in each case, the 
curve being decided by the sweep of the arm, a jerk of the wrist, 
and so on. 

In these days, when everybody has the art of curving balls, 
the successful pitchers depend to a great extent on a change of 
pace. . The alternating of slow and fast balls, with a few curves 
between, does more to throw batters off their guard and off their 
balance than any curve. The object of most successful pitchers is 
to make the batter hit a ball he does not want to hit. 

The slow ball is pitched by gripping the ball well back in the 
hand and giving it an extra lingering grip as it leaves the hand. 
This causes the ball "to rotate rapidly, and the friction of the air 
against the ball impedes its flight. It is pitched with the same 
motion as is a fast ball, and the batter, being ready for a fast 
ball, is off his balance and usually hits a pop-up fly. 

To sum up, what is needed to make a successful pitcher is 
brains, coolness, knowledge of human nature and some ability as 
a mechanical pitcher. Remember when you are feeling nervous 
that the batter is probably yet more nervous. 



s^ 



MATTHEWSON'S MOTION 

Matthewson, as he delivers the ball to the batter, moves his 
right arm slowly upward, stretching it at full length above his 
head, and at the same time bending backward from the hips. As 



How to Play Base Ball. 55 

he gets his arm into the proper position to send the ball to the 
plate he throws his body forward with it, and while there is 
necessarily a little snap to rid the hand of the ball, the arm 
motion is so much embodied in the body motion that it is a 
great saving in muscular exertion to the arm, and for that rea- 
son Matthewson should not lose his effectiveness within at least 
two years of the ordinary time it takes a pitcher to pass through 
all stages of his career in the national game. 

There are pitchers who use a modified body swing which aids 
them to some extent, but they have not acquired the ability to let 
body and arm work in unison when the ball leaves the hand. 
Try it some time and see how difficult it is to get the poise just 
right, control the ball perfectly and throw all the speed into the 
effort that you desire. 

Some right hand and some left hand pitchers go so far in the 
body movement that they throw all their weight on one foot and 
whirl almost half around before they permit the ball to leave 
their hand. Occasionally Matthewson does it, but as a rule not. 
He has in mind where the ball is going. Of course he may 
make a wild pitch or he may hit a batter. Nothing but a machine 
could invariably send the ball to an accurate mark, but it is safe 
to say that he knows approximately the height at which the 
ball will cross the plate and how close to the plate it will come. 
Nothing more is needed to confirm this than the fact that he so 
seldom sends a man to first base with a present. 

ON CURVE PITCHING 

Cy Young says: "The out curve is the first thing to interest 
a young ball player. To get it, hold' the ball tightly between tho 
two first fingers and thumb, swing the arm well out, and with a 
quick snap of the wrist, with the palm of the hand turned down^ 
it will be but a short time until you have the curve. Be sure and 
first practice by sending the ball against the wind, as the re- 
sistance will help you to make the ball curve." % 



How to Play Base Ball. 57 

James J. Callahan says : "I get the out curve by holding the 
ball tightly between the two first fingers and thumb, and by a 
sweeping side arm delivery, and a snap of the wrist, like when 
snapping a whip, letting the ball slide over the top of the index 
finger." 

Frank Donahue says : "To get the out curve, hold the ball 
tightly between the two first fingers and thumb, and swing the 
arm well out, snapping the wrist to make the ball spin as much 
as possible while turning the palm down." 

Vic Willis says: "The drop ball is the most trying one on the 
arm. I hold the ball between the two first fingers and thumb, 
and start the ball from as high a position as I can get, letting the 
ball slip off the index finger, while turning the palm of ^he hand 
down. By a double motion or snap of the elbow and wrist, I get 
the combination of drop and curve together." 

William Dineen says : "The drop out curve I find the most 
effective ball against right handed batsmen ; I hold the ball the 
same for every ball I pitch, but allow the drop ball to leave from, 
the top of the second finger after bringing the hand down from 
the highest position I can get in a long swing and, by an extra 
move to effect the curve, get the drop curve, which I think is the 
most trying ball a pitcher can deliver. The drop, itself, is not so 
difficult, but the combination of drop curve requires a long reach 
and the gift of being competent to work all the curves and 
shoots." 

Cy Young says: "The jump ball can be produced only by great 
speed. The ball is thrown with a full arm swing right from the 
shoulder, and out from under the fingers, which are straightened 
out as the ball leaves for the bat. The idea is to get a jump on 
the ball just as it comes to the plate, nearly shoulder high." 

Charley Nichols says: "It takes great speed to get a jump on 
a "ball. It must be thrown perfectly straight with an overhand 
swing, allowing the ball to slip out from under the fingers as if 



How to Play Base Ball. 59 

they were greased, I have found the real jump ball the most effec- 
tive against both right and left handed batsmen." 

The raise ball is purely a curve and first introduced by Robert 
Mathews over 30 years ago. Rhines and McGinnity later on did 
phenomenal work with a natural raise. The raise ball is pro- 
duced," says Rhines, "by snapping the wrist as in a curve, keep- 
ing the arm close to the side, stepping well in and turning the 
palm of the hand up." 

"The inshoot is the ordinary straight ball thrown with speed," 
says Jimmie Callahan, "allowing the ball to go from under the 
fingers, as in a jump ball, with plenty of speed." 

The late Charles Radbourn said : "I get the inshoot by hold- 
ing the ball in the palm of the hand and letting it go over the 
first finger, while keeping the elbow close to the side, and a turn- 
ing up the palm of the hand." 

Some pitchers will put their fingers across the seam of the ball 
while others are particular to rub a place smooth for the fingers 
on the widest spot between the seams. 

All pitchers should wear a glove, as it helps to hide the ball 
from the batter and protects the hands from hard drives from 
the bat as well as reckless throwing from the catcher. 

"I find it an excellent thing," says Cy Young, "for a pitcher to 
get out every day in uniform, and take a little exercise. It helps 
his wind and keeps him in condition for better work in the box." 



Hoiv to Play Base Ball. 6 1 



HOW TO BECOME A GOOD CATCHER 



BY M. J, KITTRIDGE 

A player behind the bat must keep his whole mind on his 
work and set a good example for the other players. 

More men are injured by trying to save themselves than when 
they go close under the bat, and are quick to be first in ever}'- 
mixup, especially where the base-runners are coming into the 
home plate. 

By working with signs, and always knowing what kind of a 
ball to look for, it must be a very wide ball that a catcher cannot 
at least block. Since the catchers have done all their work close 
up, the pitchers have grown more accurate, until now you sel- 
dom see a passed ball in a game. 

With men on bases a pitcher should always work with his 
catcher, especially at first, as throwing has grown to be a 
long suit with the best catchers of the present time, and 
then, too, the catchers must practice throwing from different po- 
sitions, as it is out of the question to always be set in a position 
to make a good throw, I think it is fully as difficult to throw 
to first and third as to second base, as you cannot always get a 
good free arm swing before letting the ball go. Plenty of 
practice before the games is necessary, as you become accustomed 
to the player covering the position, which is always sure to 
make throwing more accurate. 

A catcher should be careful of his throwing arm and start off 
in the spring by a very little work in that line each day until the 
arm becomes strong. Plenty of work by the back muscles should 
be the rule by the catchers, who have hard throwing to do, and 
yet one of the most essential things in the game is returning the 
ball to the pitcher in a way that he can take it without leaving 
his position or taking a chance of injuring a finger. 




WARNER 

Close under the bat. Taking the signal from the pitcher. 



Hoiv to Play Base Ball. 63 

I do not believe in too many signs. I give my signs to the 
pitcher with my fingers while in a squatting position to prevent 
the other side from calling the turn, otherwise the infielders 
might discover the tip and be prepared, thus giving them a 
chance to cover a great deal more ground than if they were 
simply guessing as to what kind of a ball the batsman was' 
to get. 

When a pitcher is wild it is a good idea to hold your hands 
over the plate for a target. This is also often done to deceive 
the batsman, but is a great help to the pitchers. 

When taking the ball for a throw, take one step back, if 
possible, and with a continuous swing and the weight on your 
left foot (when throwing right handed) get the ball away as 
quick as possible to second base. To the other bases it is not 
necessary to put so much thought into your work, as throwing 
to those corners is more of the snap order. 

There are a few who can throw without getting into position, 
and while it makes a pretty exhibition it is bad practice for the 
arm and side, and likely to put most players out of business. The 
overhand throw has been the winner since the days of Charley 
Bennett and William Ewing. 

Unnecessary throwing to bases should be avoided. 

On foul flies the catcher should turn fully around while pull- 
ing off the mask and start looking for the ball. If the ball proves 
to be one over the plate it is much better to come in for the 
catch, than stand directly under the descending sphere. 

Every batsman has some weakness and by a careful study the 
catcher should be a great help to the pitcher who has control. 
After a dozen years behind the bat, with all kinds of pitchers 
and always doing the bulk of the catching, I feel as able to-day 
as ever, to do first-class work. In fact, I fully enjoy catching 
behind a heady pitcher with a clever ball team in front of me, 
and the hotter they come the better I like it. 




ALEX SMITH 

In position to make a quick throw after taking a fly ball behind the bat, 
as indicated by position of left foot. Good torm. 



. Ho7v to Play Base ^BalL 65 

BY WILLIAM SULLIVAN 

Parrying the question as to what is the first attribute of a good 
catcher, I would say that he must first be able to catch and throw. 
But that is only the mechanical basis for work in a position 
which many spectators think is largely a mechanical one, a sine- 
cure because of the chest protector, mask and large padded mitt. 
Yet more signs and signals are used or are understood by the 
catcher on a baseball team than by all the other members of the 
team combined. 

This statement is true, not because the position is more scien- 
tific, but because it is essential that the intended moves of the 
pitcher or the intended throws to bases be kept a secret from 
the opposition as far as possible. Every throw of the pitcher 
to the batsman is prefaced by a signal from the catcher telling 
what kind of a ball to send, except in a few cases where the 
pitchers give their own signals. Every throw to the bases in an 
attempt to catch the runner napping is called for by a sign from 
the baseman to the catcher. Only when a runner tries to steal 
is no sign given, and then all are watching the play and know 
what is expected. 

Thus the catcher has to watch the pitcher and the basemen in 
addition to the purely mechanical work of his position. This 
is to say nothing of the value of old and experienced men in 
steadying young pitchers and in indicating to them what balls 
to try on batsmen with whose weaknesses they are familiar. 
Headwork and coolness count as much behind the bat as any- 
where except in the pitcher's box. 

My method of steadying a pitcher is to first try to slow him 
up and let him get his bearings again. Walk down with the ball 
and hand it to him, say something encouraging or offer advice 
if he seems to need any. Stop to fasten your chest protector, 
adjust your mask, or tie your shoe, anything to gain time if the 
situation is critical and the pitcher's wildness only temporary. 
If the pitcher, however, shows a continued tendency to throw 
the ball a little wide of the plate move to the other side, and in 




MENEFEE, 

An easy-work man, who takes aim and is very accurate, wasting very 

little strength , but using his head. 



IIo2v to Play Juise JUilI. 67 

aiming for you he will send the ball over the pan. Often these 
things will help out not a little. 

In signaling with my pitchers I usually give the signals, al- 
though often the pitcher with two strikes on the batsman will 
want to try a certain ball or has an idea on the subject. But 
after working several games with the same pitcher you know 
pretty well what he prefers to ofifer, and there is seldom a change 
of signals. With Griffith I never use signals at all, except when 
men are on bases. He does not use extreme speed and has such 
excellent control it is easy to catch him. On the third strike I 
like to know where the ball is coming to avoid a passed ball, 
and of course with men on bases I must know, so as to be 
ready for a throw on an attempted steal. 

It is when men are on bases that the pitcher and catcher 
are put to the severest strain. The pitcher is offering the very 
best ball in his category, and the catcher is at high tension to 
prevent stolen bases. Often a pitcher with a slow delivery will 
handicap his catcher into wild throws, but on the White Stock- 
ings none of the pitchers are bad in that respect. With men on 
bases you must set yourself for a throw on every ball pitched, 
for the base runner may attempt a steal at any time. 

If the runner is on first and likely to steal second, or the 
shortstop or second basemen signal for a throw to the middle 
bag to catch a runner napping, instinctively you pull back the 
right foot as the ball is on its way. Thus you are poised for the 
throw, and the ball strikes your mitt and is away again without 
any loss of time. If the throw is to third the left foot comes 
back so you can throw past the batsman. Few people have any 
idea how a clever batsman can hamper a catcher who is forced 
to get his throws away with a quick snap. I formerly played 
shortstop and can throw much better from second to the plate 
than from the plate to second. 

Many spectators wonder why. with men on bases, the pitcher 
does not put the first ball over the plate and trust to luck in forc- 
ing the man out at second. Often this is due to the catcher. 
Sometimes when I am sure of my pitcher, and know he has con- 



How to Play Base Ball. 69 

trol, I signal him to waste the first two balls in an attempt to 
coax the man on first base to try to steal second. Then with the 
ball coming where the batsman cannot well hit it, I am ready 
for the throw. Signals from the basemen to the catcher for 
throws to the bag do not catch a runner very often, but they are 
worth trying, and moreover hold the runner closer to the bag 
and are invaluable for that reason, because a fraction of a second 
often determines the difference between a put-out and safety 
to the runner. The catcher and basemen must work together 
and a catcher will not throw without a signal. 

The pitcher usually determines for himself when to throw the 
ball to base to catch a runner, and when to deliver it to the plate. 
Some catchers signal on these occasions, but 1 have tried it and 
found that it is likely to cause confusion. So many different 
players are concerned that one may be off balance or out of his 
position when the ball is delivered or hit in his direction. 

Manager Frank Selee was accustomed to call his players 
together to discuss any such play or if a new one is presented 
he calls for the opinions of his men as to how the play should 
be met. Thus there is an exchange of ideas, and without sig- 
nals they know just what each man is expected to do if such 
a condition arises again. I think it a good idea. Such knowledge 
is almost as valuable to a catcher as to the other players, for 
there is no telling when he will be brought into the play by some 
one's dash for the plate. 

There is much to be said in throwing to bases. Of course the 
throws should be low to enable the baseman to tag the runner 
without changing his position, but the catcher throws in such a 
hurry that he is satisfied to get the ball to the baseman any old 
way, so it is on time. Naturally his speed in throwing it and the 
manner in which it goes to the basernan determine the difference 
between a good and a poor catcher. But all these latter considera- 
tions revert to the original proposition that a catcher must be 
able to catch and throw. Then comes the science of the game. 




JENNINGS 
With hands outstretched as a target for the fielders when throwing 
first base. A great help to poor throwers. 



Hoiv to Plav Base Ball. 



71 



HOW TO PLAY FIRST BASE 



BY HUGH JENNINGS 

First base is one of the most difficult positions on a ball field 
to play properly. Catching a thrown ball while keeping one foot 
on the base is but the preliminary work to what is called for at 
the first corner. 

A first baseman must have natural talent for taking all kind 
of pickups. He should be a sure catch with either hand, gloved 
or ungloved. He must not be afraid of a runner coming into 
the bag, and should be able to judge a high throw after a jump 
as well as a line one into the big mitt. I go out and meet the 
throw, as it often gives an out where the man would otherwise 
be safe. Then, too, I think it encourages the player throwing 
the ball. 

With a base-runner at first I play in the inside of the base, 
and when looking for a bunt or sacrifice move in with the pitch. 
With men at first and second I play .well back of the base for a 
fast ground hit but keep in touch with the catcher, who can often 
see a man taking long chances away from the base. Throws 
from the catcher must be tipped out ahead and the play made 
very fast, the baseman taking the ball on the run and blocking 
off the runner. 

I believe in giving the runner a clean path to get back to the 
base, but am not particular about playing the ball easy on the man. 
As everything must be done quickly, basemen are likely to be 
considered rough. 

It requires a heap of practice to take the ball on the swing 
and put it on the runner. I do not believe in the pitcher throw- 
ing continually to first, as he is more apt to get his man by 
picking the time and doing his work well. 

When scores are close a first baseman must often take long 
chances, and with a clever man in the box clever plays are 




TENNEY 

Savini; a wild throw by a fine jump and one-hand catch. Note the 

pocket in the mitt. 



How to Play Base BalL 73 

pulled off. Heading men off at second and third on clever bunts 
is impossible, but when the balls are hit lightly or at times 
freely the first baseman can take the ball on the move-in and 
by accurate throwing get his man at second. 

After taking a throw the baseman should get into throwing 
position at once, as a second .lost may give a clever base-runner 
a big lead for another base where the score is close and the 
player taking desperate chances. 

The first baseman should go for every fly ball within reach 
to the left of the second baseman's territory, especially the balls 
going up between the pitcher and himself. 

Keeping the foot against the base and judging to a nicety how 
far you can reach requires long practice. A player should never 
make the mistake of remaining on the base on a throw too wide 
to handle; rather take a chance and go after the ball and find 
the base later. The runner coming for the base will often 
decide what chances you are to take. 

When balls are thrown low try and block the ball at least. 
For this reason it is well to practice making your long break 
pickups well in front, so that you may block the ball, even if you 
fail to get it into your hands. 

A first baseman should be a good fielder of ground balls, and 
with the bases clear should depend on the pitcher covering the 
base on every ball hit to his left. 

I play well back of the line and go for every grounder that 
goes to my left, as well as those to my right, when I think they 
are out of the second baseman's reach. With a ground-covering 
second baseman it's a sharp drive that can get through when the 
first baseman plays well back and capable of making all his plays 
on the run. It is well to toss the ball to the base well ahead of 
the pitcher, so that he can take it crossing the base. A ball 
tossed is much easier to handle than a ball thrown. 

A baseman should have absolute confidence in the pitcher 
covering the base, even when the ball is hit slowly out of his 
reach. The play at all times is for the first baseman to get the 
ground balls, depending on the pitcher to cover the base. 




LAJOIK 

Trapping a ball well in front to kill the bound while on his toes. 
Good form. 



Hoiv to Play Base Ball 75 



I HOW TO PLAY SECOND BASE 

BY NAPOLEON LAJOIE 

Unless able to cover a lot of ground and take balls on either 
side, under full headway, a player should never try to becoifte a 
second baseman. 

Men with long arms make the best second basemen, as they 
are often able to make stops without slacking their speed and toss 
the ball to a base for an out. 

I play a deep field and change my distance from the base 
according to the style of pitching I am backing up. If a weak 
fielding pitcher, who will allow medium hit balls to go through 
the box, I play closer to second. Then again you must size up 
the man at the bat and know the style of ball the pitcher is to 
feed him. It is always best to go in and meet the ball and 
smother it if you find it coming with a shoot. I never make up 
my mind how to take the ball until it is very close, for it may 
take a jump if you set yourself for the regulation bound. 

It pays to keep on your feet, although at times the spectators 
have an idea that the man rolling about in the dust is doing the 
most effective work. 

I always have a perfect understanding with the shortstop and 
catcher, as to who will cover the base, and play a bit closer when 
out for a double play. It is not a bad idea to take your cue from 
the second baseman after he sends you a ball for a force-out. 
If there is no chance for a double you should hold the ball. 
A tip to let the ball go will help, as you feel there is a good 
chance to get the man. In turning to throw, step in front of 
the base and throw regardless of the man coming down, as he 
will generally look out for himself, and is not anxious to get 
hit with the ball. 

A second baseman should go for short flies, and depend on 
the outfielders for the coaching, as they are in a better position 
to judge the ball. 




KENNEDY 

Showing his position just as a slow ball leaves for the batsman, while 
working a change of pace. Known as head-work. Grand style. 



How to Play Base Ball. 77 

The second baseman should go in for the short throw with 
the catcher sending the ball down for a man and a runner at 
third. This play requires practice and a good throwing catcher. 
When running down a man between bases go after him on the 
jump, and get him under full headway before throwing the ball. 

I instinctively start for the second base as soon as I see the 
ball is hit to the right of me. It pays to be at the bag in time to 
help the throw from short or third, for a fraction of a second 
will lose a double play, and nothing is more effective than a fast 
double play on a ground hit. When taking throws from the 
catcher to get a base-runner coming from first, stand to the left 
of the base, if the throw will allow, as nine out of ten runners 
will try to go back of the base. Fall back with the ball, as the 
runners often do phenomenal stunts in getting away from being 
touched. 

Underhand throwing is very essential, as you have many short 
throws to make and no time to straighten up for a full swing. 

Second base gives a player an opportunity to show up better 
than any other position, as it is truly stjded "the key to the 
infield," and I believe a player will last longer in the game in 
this position than any other, if he is a natural and not a made 
ball player. 

All the fine team plays of the game are made by first signaling. 
With a man at third and second, the latter will usually take big 
ground, especially when his run would win a game. A throw 
from the catcher would generally be a cue for a clever base- 
runner to go on to third, but in this case he is blocked off by 
another runner, so that his chances are all in returning to the 
base. I see the opportunity and tip the catcher to throw the 
next ball straight to the bag and as soon as the ball is sent in by 
the pitcher I am on my way to the base to head off the runner. 
Finding that he is cut off the runner will start for third base 
and I have no trouble in getting the man nearest home. The 
pitcher must be in on the play, and keep the ball wide of the 
batsman. 




COLIJNS 
Making a long throw from back of third base to first, 
high to make it carry. 



Starting the ball 



Ho7v to Play Base Ball. 79 

HOW TO PLAY THIRD BASE 



BY JAMES COLLINS 

First of all a third baseman must be a good thrower. Next 
he must have the knack of taking a ball between bounds, and 
thirdly he must be ever on the alert and fearless, for no man has 
the hot shot to handle as the third baseman. 

A clever "batsman that can bunt and hit out will keep you 
guessing at third base. I play quite deep for all and come in 
with the pitch, if I see any signs of bunting, unless I have been 
tipped off by the catclier to keep back for a hard drive. 

I always cross in front of the shortstop for the slow grounders 
as I can get to them first, I usually take a wide ball with one 
hand, as it gives a better chance to get into position to throw. 

A player should have his mind made up before the ball is 
pitched as to which base he will throw. In fact, a player should 
never take his mind off the game. 

Slow grounders to my right I take up with one hand and 
throw to first without getting into position, as deliberate work 
will lose the man. 

Trapping a ball is the most scientific department of base ball, 
and no player has more difficult work in this line than the third 
baseman. A very slow runner will sometimes allow you to 
play an ugly grounder on a long bound, taking chances tliat it 
jumps and gets by. The best way to play all kinds of ground 
balls is to be on the move and trap them just as the ball. Is about 
to come from the ground, being well over the ball, with the side 
of the hands close together in such a position that the ball will 
have no chance to come up and can be scooped, when not held, 
the first time. 

I believe in giving the runner a fair show to reach third and 
never block a player off. unless I have the ball. I never force 
a runner outsyde h'is proper latitude, as there is great danger of 



How to Play Base Ball. 8 1 

injuring a base-runner making close connections for home. I 
think a player will last longer and be of more value to his club 
who plays the game without an idea of putting his fellow player 
out of business. This has been my rule and I have yet to find a 
player attempting to do me an injury. A player's reputation 
counts, and a player injured is an expensive adjunct to a ball 
team. 

Base-runners come into third feet first, head first and throwing 
twisters, as it is usually a close call and players seldom attempt 
to steal third unless runs are scarce and desperate chances are 
called for. Mindful of this a baseman is often apt to drop a finely 
thrown ball. I should say, first, be sure of the ball and be care- 
ful to hold it after colliding with the runner. 

With a chance for a force-out at second the ball should be 
thrown for the bag at a medium pace, trusting the second base- 
man to get there. When trying for a double play with a fast 
man at the bat is is well to put extra steam on the throw to 
second. 

1 want to know the kind of ball the pitcher is about to deliver ; 
that is, whether a curve or a straight ball, as it improves one's 
ground covering at least twenty-five per cent. 

Third baseman should be about as careful as the pitchers in 
starting out in the spring, for a lame arm is a hard thing to 
get rid of and without the arm in the pink of condition a third 
baseman will carry a big handicap. 




HERMAN LONG 

Snapping; up a fast grounder passing a little to one side. Note how the 
prevpnt the hall from passing through, (iood form. 



heels 



are close 



How to Play Base Ball. ' 83 

HOW TO PLAY SHORTSTOP I 



BY HERMAN LONG 

The shortstop should be a first-class thrower from long and 
short distances, and from most any kind of a position. I play 
the position very deep, well to the right for a left handed batter, 
figuring that the third baseman will come across for the slow 
grounders. I always watch closely the signs given by the pitcher 
and catcher, as it enables me to cover more ground. An out- 
curve to a right handed batter means the ball will go to the right 
of second base, while a straight ball is likely to come fast td 
short or third base. 

Taking a ball on the run near or past second base should be 
done with one hand, and the throw to first made carefully, as 
the ball will raise when thrown on the run and it is out of the 
question to steady yourself. 

A grounder coming with extra speed should be played care- 
fully, while a slow grounder must be handled on the run and 
chances taken on a pickup between bounds. 

I pay little attention to keeping my heels together on a ground 
ball, depending wholly on my hands as the outfielders will pre- 
vent an extra base should the ball break through. 

I watch the catcher for signals as to when he intends to have 
me cover second for a thrown ball, but one should be careful 
about leaving the position before the ball is on the way to the 
plate, in this way preventing the batsman from knowing who 
will leave a place open for a ground ball. 

I want the catcher to throw the ball at the base taking chances 
on having it taken care of by either the second baseman or 
shortstop. 

The shortstop should always cut right for second base on 
every ball hit to the left of the pitcher, and should cover the 
base on the throwdown from the catcher with a man on first 




RUSIE 
In position for a sweeping out curve with a slow ball. 



How to Play Base Ball. 85 

and third base, as the second baseman will be in a better position 
to return a short throw to the plate if the man starts for home. 

Shortstops run the greatest risks of being injured by covering 
second base on a throw from the catcher to get a runner trying 
for a base. The shortstop has very little chance to block the 
man off and must make the play by swinging the ball low and 
while going back, as the runner is sure to go wide of the base. 
Never go after a man the second time, for the umpire is usually 
in sympathy with the fielder who handles the ball in good style. 
This is a feature of shortstop work that requires a great deal 
of constant practice and a heap of nerve, for once a fielder is 
shy of the runner he will make a poor man to throw to. 

A weak third baseman is a big handicap to a shortstop. I go 
for every fly hit to the short outfield, as you never know just 
how much ground you can cover when you start. The outfield- 
ers knowing that you are after everything will help you by 
calling out, as a shortstop cannot afford to take his eye off the 
ball long enough to see if another fielder is headed for the 
same place. 

I go to meet the throw from a long hit, as time is gained by 
handling the ball twice when the throw is too far to line the 
ball home. In throwing to the plate the ball should always be 
sent low, as extra speed will cause it to rise; while, should the 
throw be short, if it is on a line, it may answer the same purpose 
and get the runner. 

I never could get too much good lively practice in fielding, and 
believe in fast preliminary work by the infield before a game, 
and a chance to measure the distance to first by a throw when 
there is time as the game proceeds. 

A shortstop must practice underhand throwing, as no other 
position is called on for the variety of throwing as is the short- 
stop. My advice is practice, practice, practice. 



How to Play Base Ball. 

HOW TO PLAY THE INFIELD 



BY CHARLES A. COMISKEY 

Only players with a natural aptitude for base ball can become 
successful infielders. A good mechanical player, who can hit 
at a fair clip, may make good and hold a position in the outfield, 
but when he comes in to the diamond he must be a quick thinker, 
a fast fielder and a natural player as well. 

I wonder how many base ball fans have thought of the build 
of these infielders and the part that plays in determining a man's 
qualification for a certain position. For instance, the first base- 
man must be a tall, rangy fellow, who can cover ground, but 
more especially one who has a reach to catch throws a trifle wild. 
Then again height and reach are valuable in stepping forward to 
meet thrown balls. Many a first baseman who understands his 
position robs batsmen of hits merely by stretching out and 
meeting the ball. In the course of a season this one or two feet 
advantage will mean a score or more less base hits. Now the 
second baseman and shortstop, on the other hand, the latter 
especially, should be short, chunky men. something of the 
dachshund order, for they have to gather the ball in from all 
positions while on the run, so the lower they are to the ground 
the better. Most of the great third basemen are small men or 
men of medium height, bu: it is not so essential there. 

In playing the bags maiiy managers have different ideas, but 
I have my own, and in regard to first base, the position I played 
on the old St. Louis team my opinions are set. I am a great 
believer in playing deep and depending on the pitcher to cover 
the bag in many instances. I always played my position ten or 
fifteen feet deeper than the other first basemen, and the pitchers 
had to get over to cover the bag. They could not be sluggish 
and try to show me up. If I saw the pitcher was loafing on me 
I fielded ^he ball and then threw to first whether anyone was 



€^ m 



L, 



"-"-'"*"•""""'" 



SELBACH 
Shading the eyes from the sun while waiting for a fly ball. 



Ho%v to Play Base Ball. 89 

there or not. Then the crowd saw who was to blame, and pretty 
soon the pitchers got in the habit of running over rapidly rather 
than be roasted. But generally a baseman has no trouble, for 
when a pitcher sees his first baseman cutting off hits into right 
field, he is glad to do his part. Often I have worked plays where 
the second baseman ran over to receive my put out. At the 
same time I always played the foul line safe, for a hit along the 
foul lines is the most damaging of any. It is nearly always good 
for two bases, and often for three, for the fielders are away 
off and have a long run to field the ball. The same principle 
holds good at third. As a general rule, I would say the first 
baseman should field the ball whenever possible and leave his 
pitcher to cover first. 

The same idea of playing deep I would apply to second and 
short, as it gives better opportunity to cover ground and it is 
much easier to run in on a slow ball than to run out on a short 
fly. I also favor playing the shortstop and second baseman 
pretty wide of second base to allow the first and third basemen 
to watch the foul lines. Any ball the pitcher cannot stop is 
pretty likely to clip through to center anyway. The third base- 
man need hardly play as deep as the first baseman, because his 
is a long throw to first and there is always the danger of bunts. 
So much for the fielding of the positions. 

Then comes in the science of team play — what man shall cover 
second, and whether to play for the batter or base-runner. No 
set rule can be laid for much of this, and it is here the instinct 
of a ball player shows itself and the difference between good 
and bad players is shown. My general rule is to play for the 
batter unless the score is very close. In other words, do not try 
so much to recover from harm already done as to prevent more 
harm. So, unless the score is^ery close and it is near the end 
of a game, I never pull in my infielders for a possible play at 
the plate, but rather play for the base-runner. The same applies 
on a single to the outfield. Forward the ball to second, and keep 
the runner at first rather than try for a doubtful out at the 
plate. Of course, situations alter any such rule, and circum- 




NELSON, 

Down on one knee while fielding a ground ball. Poor form, as the ball 

plays the man, where the player should play the ball. 



How to Play Base Ball. ■ 91 

stances may force an infield play close in, although the batter's 
chances of cutting it through are greater. Whether the shortstop 
or second baseman shall cover second is a question determined 
by team signals and is frequently changed. Often an opposing 
base-runner will make a bluff to steal second, so his batter may 
see which man is slated to cover the bag. The batter then 
tries to cut the ball through the prospective opening. This is 
part of the science of the game. 

With one man on base, the play on a ball hit to second or 
short is naturally to second base, with a chance for a double- 
play. But on balls hit to third, or first, the play is generally to 
first. With a man on first and third, unless the hit be very short, 
the play is to first or second, allowing the runner to score, for 
the chances are he has a good lead and cannot be caught anyway. 

With two out the play is always for the batsmen, except in 
the case of an easy force-out, for any run crossing the plate on 
the third out does not count. 

I am a great believer in a safe ball, but at that it is the knowl- 
edge when to make a dariqg play or turn a clever trick that 
makes the great ball players and the winning teams, and I think 
our old St. Louis Browns knew about as well as anybody. Of 
course, having been a first baseman I'm a crank on the subject 
of first base play. When I began it was the jumping-off place. 
It was from first base to the bench, but I regard it as one of the 
most important positions, and I always want a good first base- 
man on my team. 



>« 




K' 



FRED CLARKE 

Set" for business in the outfield. 



Ho7o ifl Play Base Ball. 



HOW TO PLAY THE OUTFIELD 



BY FRED CLARKE 

I stand perfectly natural, ready to go in any direction, with 
my spikes having a good hold, for the least slip or late start will 
often make a difference of from one foot to two yards, and a ball 
can be lost on a loss of two inches. Therefore, I say there is 
everything in a quick and sure start, when the ball is hit. 

Then, too, every outfielder should be ready to back up, the 
center fielder having more than the others in that line, as he is 
called on to back up both the left and right fielders as well as 
the balls that come out from the catcher's wild throwing to 
second. By keeping track of the batsman you can tell pretty 
well how to play. Some are short hitters, while others are both 
long and short hitters. In the latter case I play deep for the 
man, unless the score is close and there is a man on second who 
may try to score ; then I come in close, with the idea of throwing 
to the plate if the ball is a grounder. 

When throwing, always keep the ball low, and to the home 
plate a good fast bound is often the best way, as the chances are 
that it will not go over the catcher's head, as a fast line ball 
sent high is likely to raise. 

It is well to get the ball away from the outfield as soon as 
possible, as clever base-runners will get a good start on a slow 
return of the ball, and finding himself hurried and surprised 
the fielder is more apt to throw wild. 

Outfielders should practice handling grounders in the outfield. 
Infield practice is beneficial for this work. I prefer to go in to 
meet the ball and smother it rather than play it sure, as outfields 
are usually rough and the ball may take unlooked-for bounds 
and get by, when every one on the bases will have a free run 
home. Often the outfielder is blamed where he is not at fault, 
as the grounds make the trouble. 



(j4 Ho7ii Ifl Play Base Ball. 

A line drive to the left field will raise, and must be watched 
carefully. Balls that drop short grow very heavy and when 
taken on the dead run well in front a fielder must not be too 
particular about keeping his feet. 

An outfielder should hold any ball that he can get his hands 
on. When very low he must take chances of soiling his uniform ; 
when high, he should give with the ball, and when over the 
head take them in the most natural way ; but keep your eye on 
the ball, the exception being a tremendous drive far over your 
head, when better time can be made by turning around and 
going down the field after timing the direction of the ball, and 
when well under the spot you look for it to drop turn and take 
the ball. This kind of work can be satisfactorily accomplished 
by long practice and then only a natural ball player can expect 
to become the real thing. 

I usually play my man without regard to the signals of the 
pitcher, unless where I am tipped ofif that a slow ball is to be sent 
in. when I fall back and go closer to the foul line where the 
ball ground will allow. 

Balls to the left and right fields are likely to curve more than 
to center. A good fielder can, with a little practice, play one about 
as well as the other. The left and center fielders have more 
throws to make to the home plate and should therefore be good, 
hard throwers, who can get the ball in play on the run. 

I am one who fully believes in getting the arm in good shape 
in the spring before taking any chances with long distance throw- 
ing. Tt is well to practice the different distances from the out- 
field to the bases, for you will often be hurried and must take 
a chance without being too particular. 

After you once start, never let up, for you never can quite tell 
how much ground you can cover for a ball, especially a weak 
fly out of reach of the infield. Once sure of the ball, call out 
you have it, and the first man that calls give him the right of 
way. He knowing that he has a clear field, will hustle to the 
last without fear of a collision. It is just as much of a trick to 
play the outfield as any other position. 



Hfl7v to Play Base Ball 

THE EARMARKS OF A BALL PLAYER 



BY JOHN J. McGRAW 

In picking out a youngster who is likely to develop into a valu- 
able player I first look for a man who is fast and shifty on his 
feet and who can take care of his hands when the ball is coming 
toward him. All this talk of heady young players who know the 
game is all right, but I find that few men break into the major 
leagues who already know so much that I do not want to teach 
them a few points. Especially is this true of college players. 

A young player should be a good batter, but if he shows a good 
eye and perchance is hitting to one field for put-outs where natu- 
rally he should be trymg to hit the ball in another direction, I am 
willing to attempt to teach him the correct position at the bat and 
what science there is in batting, in addition to the finer points 
of the game as practiced in the American and National Leagues. 
While good batters cannot be developed absolutely, they can be 
improved if they have the natural qualities, and often a poor hit- 
ter becomes a good one by proper coaching. 

I think the greatest weakness of young players is in base-run- 
ning. Pitching and fielding are taught in the colleges ancf batting 
to a lesser extent, but base-running is an art which often decides 
many a close game and is one of the most important departments 
of baseball. Much of the trouble is due to the fault of attempting 
to play too far off the bag, rendering the player liable to be 
caught napping. In his anxiety to take a big lead the young player 
gets too far down the base line as the pitcher is delivering the 
ball. As a result he is unbalanced in his readiness to return to 
the bag on a throw from the catcher instead of being in motion 
ready for a dash to the next bag in the event of a dropped ball, a 
throw a trifle wild which pulls the catcher out of position or an}' 
other mishap. 

I coach my men to play moderately close to the bag, ready to 



96 How to Play Base Ball. 

move on instead of to come back after the pitcher's delivery. This 
is especially valuable in the case of an infield hit, and lessens 
the chances of a force out, as the runner is already under way 
instead of getting up speed. Of course in the hit and run game 
the base-runner has received his signal and is off on his way at 
once as soon as the pitcher makes the first motion in his delivery 
of the ball to the plate. 

Another common fault of youngsters is to play too far for- 
ward in batting. Instead of' standing back and stepping forward 
to meet the ball with a good leverage and better judgment, the 
player, in his anxiety to get a start, steps as far forward as the 
batter's box allows, and is thus nearer the pitcher, which 
naturally is a disadvantage. Often, too, they are slow in getting 
away from the plate after hitting the ball, but this is largely a 
matter of practice, which I try to remedy at once. 

Of course, if a man shows himself awkward in handling flies 
or if as an infielder he seems unable to get in front of the ball 
I give him small thought unless he shows by his other actions 
that it is merely a lack of teaching. Much of the success of 
Mertes at second base is due to the fact that he is active and gets 
in front of the ball, thus receiving it in good position for the 
throw to first. 

There is another important point which I regard as almost 
invaluable for outfielders. That is not to return the ball too high 
after a fly or hit. If a runner is on the bases and the fielder 
returns the ball high to the baseman he is liable to either drop 
it in his hurry or to let it get away. Even if he receives the 
throw perfectly he must bring it down to touch the runner, 
which takes the second's time which often allows the runner 
the base. I instruct my men to throw the ball in on a line, or 
so that the baseman will receive it on the bound, which is prefer- 
able. The ball which strikes the ground usually shoots, so that 
really no time is lost. 

In regard to aggressiveness — one of the qualities for which the 
old Baltimores were noted — the young player will catch that partly 
from his teammates and partly from instructions to play fast 



How to Play Base Ball. g7^ 

all the time, to take chances when he is likely to get away with 
them and in general to keep awake and in the game all the time. 
I am not a stickler for some points of discipline. I never 
drink in playing season and never even took a drink until I was 
twenty-three years old, and I have never used tobacco, which I 
think affects the nerves and injures a man's batting eyes, but I 
have never laid down any rules for the men on these points. But 
I do want early hours. A ball player needs plenty of sleep, and 
I ask my men to be in bed by twelve o'clock and earlier if they 
feel like it, which they usually do. There is no use to lay down 
ironclad rules. A player who wants to break rules will find 
some opportunity for doing so, and a man who persists in doing 
so is not valuable to any team. But you will find the players, 
as a rule, just as anxious to win as the manager or captain, and 
are consequently in need of little discipline. 



^8 JJotv to Play Base Ball. 




GOOD ADVICE FOR PLAYERS 



If a player starts off well, the chances are he will keep in the 
same condition throughout the season. Young players generally 
go into the games without any preparation, and many of them 
pull through all right. 

When the grounds are damp at playing grounds, the players 
should always wear rubbers over their shoes and keep their legs 
well covered up with thick stockings, as the ankle and knee are 
very sensitive parts of the human body, and if not properly cared 
for after lively runs are likely to twinge with little disagreeable 
pains, the forerunner of a bad case of rheumatism. 

Preparation is an essential to nearly all things, and base ball is 
no exception. I have seen many young men start out in a most 
brilliant though careless manner and then go to pieces. 

Particular attention should be given to the arm, and a lively 
massage treatment to get the blood into circulation is an almost 
necessary thing. This practice of rubbing should be kept up 
each day. 

Another thing that is essential to perfect health for ball playing 
is the proper digestion of food, and to get this it is necessary to 
have regular exercise and regular hours for meals. A man should 
rise not later than seven in the morning and retire not later than 
II p. M. During the playing season all players should abstain 
from all kinds of liquor or stimulants. 

Warm rooms for dressing purposes are a necessity for ball 
players. A. manager should always see to it that a comfortable 
place of this kind is provided. 



How to Play Base Ball. 99 

As for the matter of food which a ball player should eat I can 
say nothing. I believe it to be out of the question to regulate 
the diet of a base ball player, I have always noticed, however, 
that an intelligent man will look out for his stomach. The young- 
sters can only be looked after while the teams are away on the 
road. 

A ball player should never eat a hearty meal previous to the 
beginning of a game. A light lunch consisting of cold roast beef 
is the proper thing at that time. 



L.of 



I 



How to Play Base Ball. 




I WHAT A PLAYER SHOULD USE ^ 

As in everything else, there are 
some people who can play ball no 
matter under what disadvantages they 
may be laboring. It comes natural to 
them and they would not feel right 
if they were furnished the most per- 
fect outfit, simply because they are 
not used to it. Ordinary mortals, how- 
ever, require all the fixings, and they 
appreciate every improvement that is 
really an improvement. 
When it comes to purchasing an outfit the team manager must 
consider not only the question of price, but also durability, fit and 
general reliability of goods required, and when selecting the balls, 
bats and other implements needed, they must be of a grade com- 
mensurate with the standing of the team itself. You can't play a 
league game with a five cent ball — that goes without saying, but that 
is not all by any means that can be said on the subject. If you have 
a team that's fit to win, you can take the vim out of them very easily 
if they get the impression that you are purchasing the equipment, not 
with the idea of getting the best you can, but instead, the cheap- 
est, without considering the quality or style. 

Perhaps a few of the men have an idea they can't hit with any- 
thing except a certain bat,- and another wants a special mitt. Get 
what you know you will not be ashamed of, and have the equipment 
satisfactory to the players as well. Below are mentioned Spalding 
goods covering a wide range of prices. The complete outfits will 
also interest the man who is getting ready to buy for the team. 
These lists merely give an idea as to what is required and the prices 
of representative goods. The assortment can be varied, extended or 
abbreviated to suit special conditions, etc. Spalding's catalogue, in 
which are described the most complete line of athletic supplies, in- 



How to riav Base Ball. 



loi 



eluding base ball equipments, etc., manufactured anywhere, will 
be mailed free of charge on application to A. G, Spalding & Bros. 

in any of the following 
cities : New York, Chi- 
cago, Denver, Buffalo, 
Baltimore, Minneapo- 
lis, Boston, St. Louis, 
Philadelphia, Kansas 
City, San Francisco, 
Montreal. If you are 
in doubt about what 
you need, send to them 
if the information is 
not contained herein. 
They maintain a bureau 
of information fully 
equipped to take care 
)f all inquiries, no mat- 
;er what information in 
regard to sports may be 
be required. 

The thing that is in 
most demand on abase 
ball field is the ball, 
and the one that has 
satisfied the players for 
twenty-seven years and 
that has earned the adoption year after year by the National League, 
and practically all the state and local leagues throughout the country, 
is the Spalding Official League Ball No. I. No better ball was ever 
made. It sells everywhere for $1.25 each and $15.00 per dozen. The 
?ame quality in every particular, but in boy's size is the No. iB, 
which costs 75 cents each. The balance of the Spalding line of base 
balls range in prices from $1.00 to 5 cents each, and in every one 
there is full value commensurate with price. 

The "A. G. Spalding Autograph" base ball bat was introduced 
last season and made a pronounced hit with the leading batsmen. 




Ho7o to Play Base Ball. 




Without a doubt it is the best bat ever turned out, and the assort- 
ment of styles offered should satisfy the most critical. For this 
^^il^ grade bat timber is seasoned three 
^HH| years in open sheds, and before 
^^^H the sticks are touched in the 
^^^H factory they are carefully ex- 
^EHn amined, and then after the bats 
^H^B are turned out every one has to 
|F™^^ pass the closest inspection before 

it is stamped w\i\\ the autograph 

of A. G. Spalding. No pains are 

spared to make this inspection 

the most rigid possible. These 

bats, with tape or twine wound 

handles, cost $i.oo reach, or 

with plain or combed handles, 

75 cents each. With this grade 

as the pinnacle, Spalding builds 

the rest of his stack of bats so 

as to suit every purse. They 

cost 50 cents, 35 cents and 25 

cents for the other men's sizes, 

and 25 cents, 10 cents and 5 

cents for the boys' sizes. They 

have been recognized as standard 

goods since 1877, when the line 

of Spalding trade-marked bats 

was introduced, and they have 

been kept abreast of the times, 

improved or changed as re- 
quired. The seasoning the tim- 
ber gets insures not only a 

strong, light bat, but also one 

that has the life quality and 

driving power of the natural wood. 
Of styles and qualities of mitts and gloves there is no end, bul 



Hoiv to Play Base Ball. 



103 



those which answer 

every requisite for the 

catcher, baseman or 

fielder bear the trade- 
mark of A. G. Spalding 

& Bros. For years the 

Spalding No. 7-0 Milt 

has been considered 

the perfection of mitt 

making. The quality 

is so high that it is 

practically in a class by 

itself, and it is used ex- 
clusively by the best 

catchers of all the 

various leagues. No. 

7-0 Mitt costs $6.00. 

By all odds this is the 

grade that should be 

on the hand of every catcher who aspires to first honors on the 

diamond, but for ordinary play and players there are other styles 

and grades which are excellent 
value. The Spalding No. 5-0 
costs $4.00. It has the laced 
back and reinforced and laced 
thumb, and is made of green, 
special tanned leather, very soft 
and pliable and heavily padded. 
The No. OX Decker Patent 
costs $3.00, and has a heavy piece 
of sole leather on back for pro- 
tection to the hand and fingers. 
For the ordinary amateur or 
semi-professional team the Spald- 
ing No. O Mitt at $2.50 will be 
found to give excellent satisfac- 





I04 



How to Play Base Ball, 




tion. In men's sizes there are others at $2.00, $1.50, $1.00 and 50 
cents. The best youth's size mitt is Spalding's No. AB, which costs 
$1.00, and this is really superb quality, with face of asbestos buck, re- 
inforced and laced thumb and strap and buckle fastening at back. 
Other mitts in youth's sizes are No. CC and 
No. BB at 50 cents each ; No. CB, the 
most popular boy's mitt ever made at 25 
cents each, and No. 5, with plain back, at 
25 cents. There is also the No. 7 with 
leather face and canvas back at 10 cents 
each. 

Now, considering the requirements for 
basemen and fielders, the Spalding No. BX 
First Basemen's Mitt heads the list. It 

costs $3 50, each and every inch of 
material is the best procurable, while 
the workmanship cannot be improved 
t^ \ ^^^^■Bffiftv ^ upon. The same style as No. BX is 
P l^^^^^^^B|||i 11 made without heel pad especially for 

I ^4H9HI|iii^ i III pi'ofessionals. This is No. BXS and 

^ S^^^^^^BIillili Im also costs $3.50. Other basemen's 

mitts cost all the way from $2.00 each 
for No. CX, which is made of specially 
tanned green leather, to $1.50 for No. 
DX, and $1.00 each for No. EX. 
Spalding's 
basemen's 
mitts will be found particularly suitable 
for the purpose intended. They adapt 
themselves to the conformation of the 
hand without undue straining, and are 
substantially made throughout. Spald- 
ing's Fielder's Mitt, No. 3X, costs $2. 50. 
It is made of the very best and softest 
light tanned buckskin, and is extra well 
padded at thumb and wrist. From this 
grade the assortment of styles and prices ranges to No. 4X at $1.50, 





Uo7v to Play Base Ball. 



105 




No. 5X at $1.00, No. 6X at 50 cents and No. 7X at 25 cents, all of 
which are well made and of a design that will suit without doubt. 

A glove that can not but greatly aid the infielder and that has met 
with the unqualified approval of every first-class player who has used 

it, is Spalding's No. PX, which 
costs $3.00. It is made of superb 
quality buckskin and the workman- 
ship throughout is all that can be 
desired. The padding extends well 
I fc \ ^^^"^''^ '-^^fc ^^P - J up into the little finger and is heavy 
\ ^^^ "¥l^^^ ^K-M around edges. This glove is made 

without heel pad and is extra long to 
protect wrist. By far the most popu- 
lar infielder's glove that has ever 
been made is Spalding's No, 2X, 
which costs $2.50 each. Year after 
year it has increased in popularity on 
account of the sterling quality of 
material and w orkmanship iised in its construction, and because of 
the fact that it is acknowledged to be absolutely the most practical in 
style on the market. For those who prefer a glove without heel pad 
the Spalding No. 2XS at $2.50 each is recommended, while at the 
same price, but made of specially tanned calfskin instead of buck, 
and equipped with web at thumb and double stitched heel pad, 
Spalding's No. AX will last until you think you cannot wear it out. 
The Spalding No. X glove at $1.50 is made of good quality horsehide 
and at the price it cannot be duplicated in goods of any other manu- 
facturer. 

A special glove this season is Spalding's No. XS, which costs |i.75- 
This is made of leather tanned in a peculiar manner and of exceed- 
ingly durable quality. Other full size men's gloves at prices which 
are reasonable, considering quality and workmanship, and which are 
popular because of their reliability, are Spalding's No. 15, which costs 
li.oo each, No. 12 at 75 cents and No. 16 at 50 cents each. In 
youth's size, and of corresponding grade to the men's size No. 2X 
glove, the No. 2XB costs |2.oo each. Same size, but made of soft 
tanned horsehide, Spalding's No. XB costs fi.oo, while No. 14, a 



io6 



Hozv to Plav Base Ball. 




good quality glove, costs 50 cents each. 

No. 17, an exceedingly popular boys' 

glove, costs 25 cents each, and No. 18, 

a glove just introduced this season and 

made of asbestos buck, costs 25 cents 

each. 

The care which is exercised in making 

up an ordinary infielder's glove, while 

considered with good reason necessary 

by the manufacturer and appreciated 

after use by the player, still does not 

show visible evidences in all cases. 

Athletic goods are made primarily to 

withstand, abuse. There is nothing particularly ornamental about 

them and the efforts of every man working on athletic equipments is 

directed at all times 
towards producing some- 
thing that will give the 
maximum amount of satis- 
faction and use. 

Catcher's masks — one of 
the series of protectors 
worn by "the man behind 
the bat," built to withstand 
hard knocks and to present 
at all times an unbroken 
front — get the best if you 
possibly can when you buy 
a mask, it will pay in the 
end. Spalding's No. 4-0, 
made of finest steel wire 
and equipped with patent 
sun shade, protecting the 

eyes but not obstructing the view, costs $4.00 each. Spalding's No. 

3-0, with extension for protecting the neck, costs $3.00. For the 

ordinary team, however, perhaps the best to recommend is Spalding's 

No. 2-0, which costs $2.50 each ; is black enameled and made of first- 




How to Play Base Ball. 



107 



class material throughout. Others in men's size are Spalding's No. 
OX at $2.00, No. O at $1.50, No. A at |i.oo and No. L at 75 cents 
each. The best grade boys' mask is Spalding's No. B, which costs 
$1.00. This is an absolutely safe mask for boys and will give excel- 
lent satisfaction. Others in boys' size are Spalding's No. C at 50 
cents and No. D at 25 cents each. All of them are well made. 

The only practical device for the protection of catchers and umpires 
is the inflated body protector sold by A. G. Spalding & Bros The 
best grade is the League style No. O, 
which costs $5.00 each. This is 
made of best rubber, inflated with 
air, light and pliable and does not 
interfere with the movements of the 
wearer under any conditions. The 
next best grade is Spalding's No i. 
Amateur style, which costs $3.50. 
This is made up similar in style to 
the No. O, but of material slightly 
cheaper in grade. To meet the de- 
mand for a boy's body protector at a 
very moderate price, Spalding's have 
their No. 2, which costs only $2.00. 
Considering the quality of this 
article, the price is very low ; indeed, 
there is hardly a team which has an 
excuse now for being without this very necessary adjunct to the 
equipment of the base ball catcher. 

Fitting out the diamond, if done right at first, is a constant source 
of satisfaction afterwards. The old days, when a barrel head had to 
answer for the home plate, and various assorted articles represented 
the bases, while to the memory they may be dear, have no excuse for 
repeating themselves at the present time. The team which now 
neglects to provide itself with a proper equipment in this line, brings 
down on itself endless criticism. Take a pride in the way you have 
your grounds fitted out and don't let an item like the home plate 
make fun of the playing abilities of the team ; keep everything ex- 
actly as you want the team itself to be — first-class and nothing ahead. 




io8 



How to Play Base Ball. 




Spalding's Home Plate, made of 
extra quality white rubber, with pins, 
and in exact accordance with National 
League regulations, costs $8.00 each. 
The Spalding Pitcher's Box Plate, also 
made of extra quality white rubber, 
costs $6.00 each. With these set right 
there will be no difficulty about pro- 
tests, etc., and to further safeguard 

matters the batsman's box should be 

marked out with Spalding's Boundary 

Plates, which cost $10.00 per set. 

Spalding's No. O Bases, which are 

best quality material and quilted, 

cost $6.00 per set ; No. i quality 

cost $4.50 per set, while Spalding's 

No. 2, of ordinary quality and very 

substantial, cost $3.00 per set. Many 
other items will have to be purchased 
from time to time in order to keep the 
team's equipment complete. An 
\li5**^*'^*^ assortment of suitable goods unpara- 
j lelled elsewhere is listed in Spalding's 
catalogue No. 303, a copy of which 
will be mailed free by A. G. Spalding 

& Bros, from any of their stores in the following cities : New York, 

Chicago, Denver, Buffalo, Baltimore, Boston, St. Louis, Minneapolis, 

Kansas City, San Francisco, Philadelphia or Montreal. Write to the 

city nearest to you. 





How to Play Base Ball. log 

B WHAT A PLAYER SHOULD WEAR % 



The club that starts out to win games handicapped with players 
unprovided with proper outfits, takes up a burden that will sooner or 
later have an effect on its record. Uniforms have a wonderful effect 
on the spirits of the players, and anyone who has ever watched a 
game knows what effect they have on the spectators. There is one 
point, however, that is not always considered, and that is how the 
uniforms themselves look. In many cases players who would not be 
satisfied unless their ordinary street clothes were in first-class condi- 
tion and nicely pressed, come on the ball field with uniforms that 
look disgraceful, to say the least. Sometimes the suits have been in 
use for three or four seasons and have simply worn out. Then, again, 
the material was perhaps not what it should have been, or the cut is 
not just right. The player who cares for his reputation and that of 
his team considers all this before he makes a purchase. 

For twenty-seven years A. G Spalding & Bros, have been making 
base ball suits, and every year of the twenty-seven they have learned 
something and have made some improvement. To-day they are out- 
fitters to the National and American League teams and practically all 
the college teams, commercial leagues and semi-professionals. This 
record means something and should be considered when a team is in 
doubt where to purchase an outfit. Get suits that look well at all 
times, get Spalding suits, and when you put them on you will feel 
like playing ball. When you get out to play you want to feel right. 
You won't if you wear a suit that fits like a potato sack, and there is 
no sense in your wearing one of this sort either if you can purchase 
Spalding goods. With the range of prices offered on Spalding Base 
Ball Uniforms you can satisfy yourself without a doubt with some- 
thing that will fit you both as to price, general get up, etc., and the 
quality will be all that you can desire. 

The team that intends to be first-class in everything, and can pay 
the price for an absolutely high grade article, should, without doubt, 
purchase the Spalding No. O Uniform to fit out its players. Purchas- 



no How to Play Base Ball. 

ing for an entire team, i. e., nine or more suits at one time, this uni- 
form costs $12.50 per suit ; a single suit costs $15.60. It is this quality 
that the National and American League teams buy, and in every par- 
ticular it is absolutely "best." A large assortment of colors are 
offered, and samples of cloth and measurement blank for team will be 
mailed on application by any of the branches of A. G. Spalding & Bros. 
College and preparatory school teams usually purchase either the 
Spalding No. I University Uniform or the No. 2 Interscholastic Uni- 
form, both of these in grade of -ivorkmanship and quality of material 
being identical with the Spalding No. O. They are somewhat lighter 
in weight, however, are substantially made, and can usually be worn 
two seasons. As in the No. O grade, a wide range of colors is offered, 
and samples and full particulars as to measurement will be sent on 
application. The University No. i Uniform costs, when one suit only 
is purchased, $12.50, but when nine or more suits are purchased at once 
the price is $10.00 per suit. The Interscholastic No. 2 Uniform costs 
$9.65 purchased singly, or $8.00 per suit when nine are bought at one 
time. 

The Spalding No. iX Union Uniform is better than the best that 
many manufacturers make up. The material being a special weave is 
exclusive, and you cannot help being suited with the colors, while the 
price is very reasonable. To a team purchasing an entire outfit at one 
time, that is, nine or more uniforms, the price for No. iX is $7.00 per 
suit. One uniform, purchased singly, costs $8.50. This uniform has 
just been introduced by us, but the prospects are that it will prove 
exceedingly popular with amateur teams. For years past, however, 
the Spalding Club Special No. 3 Uniform has had the call, and with 
good reason, for the quality of flannel and the style of workmanship 
makes it a very desirable uniform for those who want one at a very 
moderate price. A club can purchase the Spalding Club Special No. 
3 Uniform, nine or more at a time, for $5.50 per suit, singly it costs 
$7.00. 

Still another quality of uniform suitable for amateur clubs, of 
good quality flannel, and made in the Spalding factory by the 
same workmen who turn out the other suits mentioned above, is the 
Spalding Amateur Special Uniform No. 4. The shirt is furnished in 
either laced or button front, the pants are padded and either elastic 



Hoiv to Play Base Ball. HI 

or taped at knee, the caps are made in either Chicago or college style, 
the stockings are good quality and the belt also. These outfits, when 
purchased by a club, nine or more at a time, cost $4.00 per suit. 
They are made in either white, light gray, blue gray, brown mix, 
maroon navy blue or green flannel, and are substantial in every par- 
ticular. One suit, purchased singly, costs $5.00, 

In base ball, particularly, the manufacturer of athletic equipments 
must take into account the rising generation, those who intend to 
take their places eventually among the top notchers in the leagues, 
and who are only precluded from doing so now because of their lack 
of years and size. The uniform which has had an enormous sale in 
the past among the boys and younger clubs is the Spalding Junior 
No. 5 Uniform, which costs $3.00 per suit when nine or more are 
purchased at one time, and $4.00 when purchased singly. It will 
stand the hardest kind of wear, is made up in a good assortment of 
colors and is nicely trimmed. This season, to take care of those to 
whom this uniform even has been out of reach, we are making up the 
Spalding Youth's Uniform No. 6, which will net a club purchasing 
nine or more uniforms at one time $1.50 per suit, which includes cap, 
shirt, pants, stockings and belt. The shirt is buttoned front, the 
pants are padded and the quality of every part of the suit is satisfac- 
tory Knowing that a good suit is procurable at this low price, there 
is really no leason why any team, no matter how low their treasury 
may be, should be without uniforms. 

A suit for base ball players in the generally accepted sense of the 
term consists of cap, shirt, p nts, belt and stockings. Shoes are not 
included because many players seem to think any kind of a shoe will 
do when playing base ball. They couldn't play base ball if they had 
no feet, and if their shoes are not just right their feet won't be of 
much assistance. Shoe making is not classed among the sciences, 
but the man who makes a shoe that is just right, in many cases de- 
serves a degree with as much reason as the man who only realizes he 
is wearing shoes when he gets a pair that don't fit. Spalding shoes 
are built to answer every requirement. There is no question of 
" good enough " about it — they are " the best that can be made," and 
when you have Spalding's best you will have to be satisfied because 
you cannot get anything better. The Spalding '• Highest Quality" 



112 Boiv to Play Base Ball. 

shoe is the No. 2-0, which cost $7.50 per pair. They are equipped 
with light weight razor steel hand forged plates, and the leather used 
in their construction is specially selected kangaroo. No expense has 
been spared in making this shoe a perfect one in every detail. It 
must be right when the best players in the National and American 
Leagues wear the Spalding No. 2-0, and those who do not, wear the 
Spalding Sprinting Shoe No. 3-0S, which cost $8.00 per pair. This 
sprinting shoe is made on the famous Spalding running shoe last and 
they weigh about eighteen ounce^ to the pair. 

The Spalding Club Special Shoe No. 33 is made of carefully selected 
satin calfskin, very substantially constructed, aad is a first-class shoe 
in every particular. They cost $5.00 per pair. The Spalding Ama- 
teur Special Shoe No. 35 costs $3.50 per pair, and is made of good 
quality calfskin, machine sewed, very serviceable, and has plates 
riveted to heel and sole. A good leather shoe at a very moderate 
price is the Spalding No. 37, which costs $2,00 per pair, complete 
with plates on heel and sole. 

The lists which follow are made up to aid the prospective pur- 
chaser of an outfit for a base ball team. As suggestions, they may be 
of value, it is not intended that they shall act as anything else, the 
variety of goods offered in the Spalding catalogue being so large that 
to include in a series of lists of this kind all the desirable goods would 
be an impossibility. An idea may be gotten from them, however, as 
to the amount that is necessary to fit out a team, and this information 
will be of use when you come to purchase your outfit. 

Spalding Outfit for League Club. 

3 dozen Spalding No. i Base Balls, ..... I45 00 
I dozen A. G. Spalding Autograph Bats, assorted twine 

wound and taped, 12.00 

I dozen A. G. Spalding Autograph Bats, assorted plain and 

combed handles, 
I Spalding No. 7-0 Mitt, . 
I Spalding No. BX Mitt, . 

4 Spalding No. PX Gloves, 
3 Spalding No. 2X Gloves, 
I Spalding No. 4-0 Mask, . 



g.oo 
6 00 
3-50 
2.00 
7-50 
4.00 



Ho7v to Play Base Ball. 



113 



I Spalding No. O Protector, 

I Spalding Home Plate, 

I Spalding Pitcher's Box Plate, . 

I set of Spalding No. O Bases, . 

9 Spalding No. O Uniforms, complete, 

9 pairs of Spalding No. 2-0 Shoes, 

Total 



Spalding Outfit for College or Preparatory 
2 dozen Spalding No. i Base Balls, 
I dozen Spalding No. 2 Base Balls, 
6 A. G. Spalding Autograph Bats, assorted tw 

and taped, ...... 

6 A. G. Spalding Autograph Bats, assorted plai 

combed. . . ^ . . . . 

I Spalding No. 7-0 Mitt, .... 

1 Spalding No. BX Mitt 

2 Spalding No. PX Gloves, 
5 Spalding No. 2X Gloves, 

I Spalding No. 4-0 Mask 

I Spalding No. O Protector, 

I Spalding Home Plate, . . . , 

I Spalding Pitcher's Box Plate, . 

I Set Spalding No. O Bases, 

Complete with 9 Spalding No. I Uniforms, 

Total 



5.00 
8.00 
6.00 
6.00 
112.50 
67.50 

I304.00 



School Team. 
$30.00 
6.00 



wound 
and 



6.00 

4.50 
6.00 
3- 50 
6.00 

12.50 
4.00 
5.00 
8.00 
6.00 
6 00 

90.00 



$193-50 



Or with 9 Spalding No. 2 Uniforms, complete, $72.00 ; total, $175.50 

Spalding Outfit for Amateur or Semi-Professional Teams. 

r. dozen Spalding No. i Base Balls $15.00 

I dozen Spalding No. 2 Base Balls, 
6 A. G. Spalding Autograph Bats, 



6.00 



assorted twine and 



taped. 



6 Spalding No. 3-0 Bats, 
I Spalding No. O Mitt, 



6.00 
3.00 
2.50 



114 



Hoiv to Play Base Ball. 



1 Spalding No. CX Mitt, . 

2 Spalding No. 2X Gloves, 
5 Spalding No. X Gloves, ; 
I Spalding No. 2-0 Mask, . 
I Spalding No. I Protector, 
I Spalding Home Plate, 
I set of Spalding No. i Bases, 
Complete with 9 Spalding No. iX Uniforms, 

Total, . . . '. 



2.00 
5.00 
7-50 
2.50 
3.50 
8.00 
'4.50 
63,00 



$128 50 



Or with 9 Spalding No. 3 Uniforms, complete, $49.50 ; total, $115.00 
Or with 9 Spalding No. 4 Uniforms, complete, $36.00 ; total, $101.50 



Spalding Outfit for Junior Team. 
6 Spalding No. iB Base Balls 
6 Spalding No. 7B Base Balls 
6 Spalding No. 3X Bats, 
I Spalding No. AB Mitt, , 

1 Spalding No, EX Mitt, 

2 Spalding No. XB Gloves 
5 Spalding No, 14 Gloves, 
I Spalding No, B Mask, 
I Spalding No. 2 Protector 
I set of Spalding No. 2 Bases, 
Comi^lete with 9 Spalding No. 5 Uniforms 

Total 



$4.50 
1.50 
1.50 
1. 00 
1.00 
2.00 
2.50 
I 00 
2.00 
3.00 

27.00 



$47.00 



Or with 9 Spalding No, 6 Uniforms, complete $13.50 ; total, $33.50 




mm 

Spalding's Athletic Library 162. 
Any boy, with the aid of this book, 
can become an expert boxer. Every 
trick thoroughly explained and illus- 
trated by half-tone pictures made 
especially for this book. Contents 
also include the official rules for all 
boxing contests, hints on training, a 
short history of the sport and pic- 
tures of all the leading boxers ; 100 
pages of pictures and 100 of text. 

lO CENTS PER COPY 

FREE— ^/a/rt'/w^V illustrated cata- 
logue of Athletic Sports. 

A. G. SPALDING & BROS. 

New York Chicago Denver 

Philadelphia Baltimore Buffalo 
SanFrancisco St. Louis Boston 
Minneapolis Kansas City Montreal 
Londonis England 




k A Exercise 

"^■fiy^ For Busy 

Spalding's Athletic Library 161. 

These exercises are the result of 
years of experience, in which their 
success has been thoroughly demon- 
strated. The course is divided into 
five parts. Each individual move- 
ment is illustrated by a full page 
half-tone of a photograph especially 
posed for this Work, with the instruc- 
tions on the opposite page in large 
type, comprising nearly 200 pages. 

10 CENTS PER COPY 

^^t^^— Spalding' s illustrated cata- 
logue of Athletic Sports. 

A. G. SPALDING & BROS. 

New York Chicago Denver 

Philadelphia Baltimore Buffalo 
SanFrancisco St. Louis Boston 
Minneapolis Kansas City Montreal 
London, England 




The Above Catalosfue Free .^p^'^'"^'? handsomely 

Qnr,- cr ^c '»'•♦ ***. v^ M w * 1 vw illustrated ca taloguc of 



Q„- JO r^ " . . iiiubirateu catalogue OJ 

spring and bummer Sports, containing 96 pages of everything pertain- 
'i* R ^^V'^^'c^' ^ill l^e sent free anywhere by writing to A. G. Spalding 
<K Bros., in any of the following cities. Write to the town nearest you. 



New York Chicago Philadelphia 

Boston _ _ Baltimore Buffalo 

St. Louis Minneapolis Denver Montreal, Can. 



San Francisco 
Kansas City 
London, Eng 




Spalding's Official League Ball. Used exclusively by the National 
League, Minor Leagues, and by all Intercollegiate and other Associa- 
tions for over a quarter of a century. Each ball 

wrapped in tinfoil and put in a separate box, and ^^ ^% IS 
sealed in accordance with the regulations of the ^ 1 m ^SJ^ 
National League and American Association. War- m ^^^^ 

ranted to last a full game when used under ordinary conditions. 
Spalding's Official Boys' League Ball. Combining all the excel- 
lent qualities of our National League Ball, and is carefully made in 
every particular. It is especially designed for junior 
clubs (composed of boys under sixteen years of age), mm §tm ^^ 
and all games in which this ball is used will be recog- M J^k gS » 
nized as legal games, the same as if played with the ^^ ^^ 

Official League Ball. Each ball put up in separate box and sealed. 

A. C. SPALDING & BROS. 

New York Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

St. Louis Boston Buffalo Baltimore 

Denver Minneapolis Kansas City Montreal, Can. 

London, England 



Spalding's "'Varsity" League Ball 




Regulation size and weight, fine selected horsehide double 
cover, rubber centre, all wool yarn and far superior in woik- 
ship to any of the various imitations of our Official League 
Ball. Warranted to last a full game without losing its 
elasticity or shape. 
No. X. Each, $1.00 

Spalding's "Interscholastic" League Ball 

Same quality as the 'Varsity League but smaller in size. 
Each ball in sealed box and warranted to last a full game. 

No. XB. Each, 50c. 



A. C. SPALDING & BROS. 

New York Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

St. Louis Boston Buffalo Baltimore 

Denver Minneapolis Kansas City Montreal, Can. 

London, England 



AwwJu; 








SPALDlNGSi 
DOUBLE SEAK 



5oz. 9irv 



chic; 



Spalding's 

Double Seam 

Ball 

Made with the same 
care and of the same 
material as our League 
Ball; thedoublestitch 
is used in its construc- 
t i o n , rendering it 
doubly secure against 
ripping. Every ball 
is wrapped in tinfoil, 
packed in a separate 
box and sealed and 
warranted to last a 
full game. 

No. 
Each, $1.25 



Spalding's Amateur Ball 

Regulation size ball. Selected horsehide cover, and well adapted foi" 
practice games. Each ball put in a separate box and sealed. 

No. 3. Each, 50c. 

Spalding's Professional Ball 

Regulation size and weight. Made of carefully selected material through- 
out, and warranted a first-class ball. Each ball put up in a separate 
box and sealed. 

No. 2. Each, 50c. 

Spalding's King of the Diamond 

This ball is regulation size and weight, made of good material and horse- 
hide cover. Each ball put up in a separate box and sealed. 

No. 5. Each, 25c. 

Handsomely Illustrated catalogue mailed free to any address 



A. G. SPALDING & 

New York Chicago Philadelphia 

St. Louis Boston Buffalo 

Denver Minneapolis Kansas City 

London, England 



BROS. 

San Francisco 
Baltimore 
Montreal, Can. 



SPALDING'S BASE BALLS 




HIGH FLYER 

A very lively ball; the inside is all rubber, making it the liveliest ball 
ever offered at the price. Put up in a separate box and sealed. 

No. lO. Each, 25c. 
BOYS' FAVORITE 

Regulation size and weight," horsehlde cover and well constructed. An 
excellent regulation ball for boys. Put up in a separate box and sealed. 

No. 7. Each, 25c. 
BOYS' AMATEUR 

This ball is a little under regulation size, has a sheepskin cover and is 
very lively. Put up in a separate box and sealed. 

No. 14. Each, 15c. 
BOYS' LIVELY 

A good Boys' Lively Ball, juvenile size, two-piece cover. Each ball 
trade-marked. One dozen balls in a box. 

No. 9B. Each, rOc. 

Handsomely illustrated catalogue mailed free to any address 



A. G. SPALDING & BROS. 

New York Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

St. Louis Boston Buffalo Baltimore 

Denver Minneapolis Kansas City Montreal, Can. 

I^ondon, England 



SPALDING'S BASE BALLS 




LEAGUE JUNIOR 

Slightly under regular size, horsehide cover, and is very lively; care- 
fully made and is a perfect boys' size ball. Put up in a separate box and 
sealed. 

No. 7B. Each, 25c. 
VICTOR 

The best 15-cent ball ever put on the market. Regulation size and 
weight. Each ball is put up in a separate box and sealed. 

No. 6. Each, 15c. 
EUREKA 

Nearly regulation size and weight. The best cheap ball for the money 
on the market. Each ball trade-marked. One dozen balls in a 1 ox. 

No. 8. Each, lOc. 
ROCKET 

This is a good bounding ball. Size 8 inches; weight 4 ounces. The best 
5-cent two-piece-cover ball on the market. One dozen balls in a box. 

No. rs. Each, 5c. 



A. C. SPALDING & BROS. 

New York Chicago Philadelphia Sar» Francisco 

St. Louis Boston Buffalo Balrimore 

Denver Minneapolis Kansas City Montreal, Can. 

London, England 



SPALDING'S SUN PROTECTINQ MASK 



Finest steel 
wire, extra 
heavy black 
enamelled; our 
patent sunshade 
protects the 
eyes without 
obstructing the 
view. 

No. 4-0, 
Each, $4.00 




SPALDING'S SPECIAL 
LEAGUE MASK 

BLACK ENAMELLED 

Made of extra heavy 
and best annealed steel 
wire. Fittings of best 
quality throughout. 

No. 2-0. Each, $2.50 



A. G. SPALDING 



New York Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

St. Louis Boston Buffalo Baltimore 

Denver Minneapolis Kansas City Montreal, Can. 

London, England 




SPALDING'S 

NECK PROTECTINQ 

MASK 

' Finest Steel wire, extra 
heavy and black enam- 
eled to prevent reflection 
of light; our patent neck 
extension aflbrds abso- 
lute protection to the 
neck. 

No. 3-0. Each, $3,00 




No. 3-0 




No. OX 



SPALDING'S 

REGULATION 

LEAGUE 

MASK 

Made of heavy, soft 
annealed steel wire. 
Well finished and reliable 
in every particular. 

BLACK ENAMELLED 

No. OX. Each, $2.00 

BRIGHT WIRE 

No. O. Each, $l.50 



A. G. SPALDING Sl BROS. 



New York 
St. Louis 
Denver 



Chicago Philadelphia 

Boston Buffalo 

Minneapolis Kansas City 

London, England 



San Francisco 
Balttmore 
Montreal, Can. 




Spalding's 
Amateur Masks 



BRIGHT WIRE 



No. A. 



Same size and general 
style of the League mask. 
Substantially made and 
warranted perfectly safe. 

No. A. Each, $L00 



^^•^^W(^' 



Spalding's 

Boys' Amateur 

Masks 

BRIGHT WIRE 

Exactly same quality as our 
No. A mask, only smaller in 
size. An absolutely safe 
mask for boys. 

No. B. Each, $L00 




No B 



A. G. SPALDING & BROS. 

New York Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

St. Louis Boston Buffalo Baltimore 

Denver Minneapolis Kansas City Montreal, Can. 

London, England 




SPALDING'S 
REGULATION MASK 

BRIGHT WIRE 

Made in same style as 
our Amateur mask, but 
without head or chin 
piece. Warranted. 

No. L. Each, 75c. 



No. L 



SPALDING'S YOUTHS' MASK 

BRIGHT WIRE 




No C 



No 



Well padded. No head or chin piece. 
No. C. Each, 50c. 
No. D, Each, 25c. 

Complete Catalogue of Athletic Sports 
Mailed Free to any Address. 



A. C. SPALDING & BROS. 



New York 
St. Louis 
Denver 



Chicago Philadelphia 

Boston Buffalo ^ 

Minneapolis Kansas City 

London, England 



San Francisco 
Baltimoj-e 
Montreal, Can. 



THE SPALDING 

PERFECTION 

CATCHERS' MITT 




T70R years our No. 7-0 Mitt has been considered 
as near perfection as it was possible to come 
in making an article of this kind. The leather is of 
finest quality calfskin, padding of best felt hair ob- 
tainable, and every other detail of manufacture has 
been carefully considered, including patent lace 
back with rawhide lacing. Thumb is reinforced and 
laced, double row of stitching on heel pad and strap- 
and-buckle fastening at back. 



No. 7=0 



$6.00 



A. G. SPALDING & BROS. 

New York Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

St. Louis Boston Buffalo Baltimore 

Denver Minneapolis Kansas City Montreal, Can. 

London, England 




No. OX 



*' Decker" 
Patent 

Madesameasour 
No. O Mitt, with 
the addition of a 
heavy piece of sole 
leather on back for 
extra protection to 
the hand and 
fingers. 

No. OX- 
Each, $3.00 



Spalding's 
No. C Mitt 

Face and fi n g e r 
piece of asbestos 
buck, sides and back 
firm tanned leather, 
reinforced and laced 
at thumb, strap-and- 
buckle fastening at 
back and double row 
of stitching on heel 
pad. Superior quality 
throughout. 
No. C. Each, $I.OO 




No. C 



New York 
St. Louis 
Denver 



A. G. SPALDING & BROS. 

Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

Boston Buffalo Baltimore 

Minneapolis Kansas City Montreal, Can. 

London, England 




Spalding's 

'* League" 

Mitt 

Made of green, 
special tanned 
leather, very 
soft and pliable, 
heavily padded. 
An old favorite. 

No. 5-0. 
Each, $4.00 

Spalding's No. O Mitt 

Face, sides and finger-piece made of velvet 
tanned boulevard and back of selected asbestos 
buck, well padded. Well known for reliability. 

No. O. Each, $2,50 

Spalding's No. OA Hitt 

Extra large and heavily padded. Velvet tan- 
ned boulevard and a special tanned leather finger- 
piece and back. Extremely well made, 

No. OA. Each, $2.00 

We have equipped the above mitts with strap-and-buckle fastening 
at back. They have double row of stitching on heel pad, are re- 
inforced and laced at thumb, and have our patent lace back as an 
additional feature. 

A. C. SPALDING & BROS. 

New York Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

St. Louis Boston Buffalo Baltimore 

Denver Minneapolis Kansas City Montreal, Can. 

London, England 




No. A 



Spalding's 

Amateur 

Mitt 

Made of extra 
quality asbestos 
buck, perspiration 
proof, extremely 
tough and durable. 
A very popular mitt. 

No. A.Each, $l.50 



These mitts are equipped with strap-and-buckle fastening at back, 
and have a double row of stitching on heel pad. They are re- 
inforced and laced at thumb, and have our patent lace back as an 
additional feature. 

Spalding's 

Practice 

Mitt 

Made of specially 
firm tanned oak 
leather, easy fitting. 
None better for 
practice. 

No. B. Each, $1.00 

No. B 
A. G. SPALDING Sl BROS. 




New York Chicago Philadelphia 

St. Louis Boston Buffalo 

Denver Minneapolis Kansas City 

London, England 



San Francisco 
Baltimore 
Montreal, Can. 




Spalding's Youths' Mitt 

Patent Lace Back 

Superior quality youths' 
mitt. Made with extra 
quality asbestos buck^ face 
and finger piece extremely 
tough and durable ; well 
padded ; reinforced and 
faced at thumb and double 
row of stitching on heel 
pad; strap-and-buckle fastening at back. 
No. AB. Each, SI.OO 

Spalding's Youths' Hitt 

Patent Lace Back 

A very serviceable youths' 
mitt. Face and fmger piece 
made of asbestos buck, sides 
and back of firm tanned 
leather; reinforced and laced 
at thumb and double row of 
stitching on heel pad; strap- 
and-buckle fastening at 
back. 

No. CC. Each, 50c. 

Complete Catalogue of Athletic Sports 
Mailed Free on Application. 




A. G. SPALDING & BROS. 



New York 
St. Louis 
Denver 



Chicago Philadelphia 

Boston Buffalo 

Minneapolis Kansas City- 

London, England 



San Francisco 
Baltimore 
Montreal, Can. 




Spalding's Youths' flitt 

Patent Lace Back 

A great favorite; made of 
extra quality firm tanned 
oak leather; well padded 
and substantially made; 
double row of stitching on 
heel pad ; reinforced and 
laced thumb, strap-and- 
buckle fastening at back. 
No. BB. Each, 50c. 



Spalding's Junior Mitt 

Patent Lace Back 

Most popular mitt made; 
of good quality firm tanned 
leather; well padded; laced 
thumb; double row of 
stitching on heel pad. 

No. CB. Each, 25c. 




Complete Catalogue of Athletic Sports 
Mailed Free on Application. 



A. C. SPALDING Sl BROS. 

New York Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

St. Louis Boston Buffalo _ Baltimore 

Denver Minneapolis Kansas City Montreal, Can. 

London, England 




Spalding's No. 4 Mitt 

Men's size. 
Firm tanned 
leather; ex- 
tra heavily 
padded ; re- 
nforced and 
laced at 
thumb joint 
and double 
row of stitch- 
ing on heel 
pad; strap-and-buckle fastening at back. 
No. 4. Each, 50c. 

Spalding's No. 5 flitt 

1 m p ro V ed 
style ; firm, 
pliable leather; 
laced thumb; 
well padded 
and double 
row of stitch- 
i n g on heel 
pad. 

No. 5. 
Each, 25c. 

Spalding's No. 7 Mitt 

Leather face, canvas back; good size and well 
padded. No. 7. Each, lOc. 




A. G. SPALDING Sl BROS. 



New York 
St. Louis 
Denve. 



Chicago 

Boston 

Minneapolis 

London, 



Philadelphia 
Buffalo 
Kansas City 
England 



San Francisco 
Baltimore 
Montreal, Can. 



Spalding's 
No. BX First Basemen's Mitt 




Highest quality material and workman- 
ship and adapts itself to the conformation of 
the hand without undue straining. 

Made of fine selected and specially tanned 
calfskin, extremely well made throughout 
and padded to meet the special require- 
ments of a baseman's mitt; laced all around 
and strap-and-buckle fastening at back; 
double row of stitching on heel pad. 

No. BX- First Basemen's Mitt. Each, $3.50 



A. C. SPALDING Sl BROS. 

New York Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

St. Louis Boston Buffalo Baltimore 

Denver Minneapolis Kansas City Montreal, Can. 

London, England 



NaBXS FIRST BASEMENTS MITT 



Composed of same 
quality materials and 
workmanship same 
as in our No. BX First 
Basemen's Mitt. It 
has no heel pad and is 
made up especially for 

professional use. 

No. BXS. 

First Basemen's Mitt 

Each, $3.50 




No. CX 




FIRST BASEMENTS MITT 

Fine quality and finish ; 
made on same lines as 
No. BX mitt; face of 
specially tanned green 
leather, extra well 
padded at wrist and 
thumb; laced all around 
and strap- and -buckle 
fastening at back; double 
row of stitching on heel 
pad. 

No. CX. 

First Basemen's Mitt. 
Each, $2,00 



A. G. SPALDING <&, BROS. 



New York 
St. Louis 
Denver 



Chicago 

Boston 

Minneapolis 

London, 



Philadelphia 
Buffalo 
Kansas City 
England 



San Francisco 
Baltimore 
Montreal, Can. 




FIRST BASEMENTS MITT 



Men's size: a good 
article at a moderate 
price; made of oak 
tan specially selected 
leather, laced all 
around and strap-and- 
buckle fastening at 
back; a very easy 
fitting mitt. 

No. DX. 

First Basemen's Mitt. 
Each, $1.50 



No. EX FIRST BASEMEN'S MITT 



An excellent mitt 
for boys; made of 
good quality craven 
leather, laced all 
around; suitably 
padded and will give 
very good service. 

No. EX. 

First Basemen's Mitt. 
Each, $1,00 



A. G. SPALDING 

New York Chicago Philadelphia 

St. Louis Boston Buffalo 

Denver Minneapolis Kansas City- 

London, England 




SPALDING'S 
No. PX INFIELDERS' GLOVE 




Our No. PX Infielders' Glove is made up on 
lines suggested by prominent professional 
players. Quality and workmanship cannot 
be surpassed. The quality of buckskin used 
in making up this glove is the finest we 
have been able to obtain, and all other items 
of manufacture have been carefully looked 
into. It is heavily padded around edges 
with fine quality felt, and padding extends 
well up into the little finger. It has no 
hump, but is made extra long to protect 
the wrist. 

No, PX, Each, $3,00 

Handsomely illustrated catalogue mailed free to any address 

A. G. SPALDING & BROS. 

New York Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

St. Louis Boston Buffalo Baltimore 

Denver Minneapolis Kansas City Montreal, Can. 

London, England 



SPALDING'S 
No. AX INFIELDERS' GLOVE 




A very popular style. Made through- 
out of specially tanned calfskin and 
padded with best quality felt. Web 
thumb, double row of stitching on 
heel pad. Highest quality workman- 
ship throughout. 

No, AX, Each, $2,50 

Handsomely illustrated catalogue mailed free to any address 

A. G. SPALDING & BROS. 

New York Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

St. Louis Boston Buffalo Baltimore 

Denver Minneapolis Kansas City Montreal, Can. 

London, England 




Spalding's No. 2X Infielders' Glove 

This glove has re- 
tained its popularity 
year after year and to- 
day is acknowledged 
to be the most practical 
in style and get up of 
any on the market. 
Made of selected velvet 
tanned buckskin, lined 
and correctly padded 
with fmest felt. Has 
Web thumb. Highest 
quality workmanship 
throughout ; double 

row of stitching on heel pad. No better made 

at any price. 

No. 2X. Each, $2.50 

Spalding's 

2XS Infielders' 

Qlove 

A special glove with 
features that will appeal 
to the professional player. 
Made extra long, of se- 
lected velvet tanned buck- 
skin, kid lined and lightly 
padded. Has no heel pad. 

No. 2XS. Each, $2.50 

A. C. SPALDING & BROS. 

New York Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

St. Louis Boston Buffalo _ Baltimore 

Denver Minneapolis Kansas City Montreal, Can. 

London, England 




Spalding's No 2XB Infielders' Glove 

Our best youths' glove, 
made throughout of selected 
velvet tanned buckskin, 
duality of material, work- 
manship and style of glove 
same as our No. 2X men's 
glove. 
No. 2XB. Each, $2.00 




Spalding's 

No. 15 Infielders' 

Glove 

A well made glove, im- 
proved style. Made of 
extra fine quality brown 
leather, well padded. 
Web thumb; double row 
ol stitching on heel pad. 
No. 15. Each, $I.OO 




Complete Catalogue of Athletic Sports 
Mailed Free to any Address. 



New York 
St. Louis 
Denver 



A. G. SPALDING <&, BROS. 

Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

Boston Buffalo Baltimore 

Minneapolis Kansas City Montreal, Can. 

London, England 




Spalding's No. X Infielders' Glove 

A good all-around 
glove, improved style. 
Made of good quality 
horsehide, well padded. 
Web thumb ; double row 
of stitching on heel pad. 
Will give excellent 
service. 

No. X. Each, $l-50 

Spalding's X5 Infielders' Glove 

Man's size glove. Made 
of good quality special tan 
leather, well finished and 
exceedingly durable. 
Web thumb; double row 
of stitching on heel pad 
and nicely padded. 

No. XS. Each, $1.75 

Complete Catalogue of Athletic Sports 
Mailed Free to any Address. 

A. G. SPALDING &. BROS. 

New York Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

St. Louis l-ioston Buffalo Baltimore 

Denver Minneapolis Kansas City Montreal, Can. 

London, England 




Spalding's No. XB Infielders' Qlove 




A good youth s' size 
glove. Made of fine qual- 
ity soft tanned horsehide. 
Similar in material, work- 
manship and style to our 
No. X men's glove. 

No. XB. Each,$I.OO 



Spalding's 

No. 12 Infielders' 

Glove 

Good quality soft suede 
tanned leather nicely pad- 
ded. Web thumb; double 
row of stitching on heel 
pad. 

No. 12. Each, 75c. 




Send for Catalogue of Athletic Sports. 
Mailed Free to any Address. 



A. G. SPALDING & BROS. 

New York Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

St. Louis Boston Buffalo Baltimore 

Denver Minneapolis Kansas City Montreal, Can. 

London, England 



Spalding's 

No. 16 

Infielders Glove 

A good glove, full size, 
improved style. Made 
of good quality soft tan- 
ned leather, nicely pad- 
ded. Web thumb; 
double row of stitching 
on heel pad. 
No. 16. Each, 50c- 




^•^.•^r»i 




Spalding's 

No. 14 

Infielders' Glove 

Similar to No. 12, but 
smaller in size. No better 
at the price. 

No. 14. Each, 50c. 



Complete Catalogue of Athletic Sports 
Mailed Free on Application. 



A. C. SPALDING & BROS. 

New York Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

St. Louis Boston Buffalo Baltimore 

Denver Minneapolis Kansas City Montreal, Can. 

London, England 




Spalding's No. 17 Infielders' Glove 

A youth's glove; all 
leather, good quality, well 
made and padded. Web 
thumb ; double row of 
stitching on heel pad. 

No. 17, Each, 25c. 

Spalding's No. 18 Infielders' Glove 

Youths' size. Made of 
asbestos buck and well pad- 
ded. Double row of stitch- 
ing on heel pad and web 
thumb. Best quarter glove 
on the market. 

No. 18. Each, 25c. 

Complete Catalogue of Athletic Sports 
Mailed Free on Application. 




A. G. SPALDING & BROS. 

New York Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

St. Louis Boston Buffalo Baltimore 

Denver Minneapolis Kansas City Montreal, Can. 

London, England 



^-^^^t^c^ 




Tape 
Handle 



Combed 
Handle 



THB A- G. Spalding Auto- 
graph Base Ball Bat was 
introduced last season 
and made a pronounced hit with 
the leading batsmen. In quality 
of material and every other nec- 
essary requisite for a first-class 
article we believe it to be the 
best bat ever turned out. It has 
proven exceedingly popular, and 
this season we have added some 
new styles that will interest the 
ballplayer. The models are those 
used by the best players, and the 
autograph stamped on each is a 
guarantee that every one has 
passed the closest inspection and 
is perfect — ^judged according to 
our knowledge of base ball play- 
ers' needs — gained after an ex- 
perience of twenty-seven years 
in the manufacture of base ball 
bats. 

Spalding's handsotnely illustrated 
catalogue of athletic goods sent free 
by mail on receij>t of application 



A. C. SPALDING & BROS. 

New York Chicago Philadelphia 

St. Louis Boston Buffalo 

Denver Minneapolis Kansas City 

San Francisco Baltimore Montreal, Can. 
London, England 



^^^^^>e?^^^-^M^ 



THE timber is seasoned for 
threeyears, not kiln-dried, 
but seasoned in open 
sheds; then, after a general in- 
spection, it is passed under the 
critical eyes of men trained in a 
factory particularly well equip- 
ped for turning out this class of 
goods. We know of nothing 
that can be done to make an in- 
spection more rigid, and place 
these bats before our customers 
as the finest in every particular 
that we can turn out. 



Tape Wound Handle.... $1.00 

Pitch Twine Wound ^ ^^ 

Handle *«^^ 

Combed Handle (patented fjs 

roughening process) •m%^ 

Plain Handle 75 



Spalding's handsomely illustrated 
catalogue of athletic goods sent free 
by mail on receipt of application 



A. G. SPALDING & BROS. 

Chicago Philadelphia 

Boston Buffalo 

Minneapolis Kansas City 
Baltimore Montreal, Can. 

London, England 



New York 
St. Louis 
Denver 
San Francisco 



Pitch Twine Plain 
Handle Handle 



No. 3-0 




SPALDING'S 

Trade = Mark 

Bats 

Wagon Tongue 

Spalding's Burnt End 
Wagon Tongue Abh 
Bat, League quality. 
Handle roughened by > 
our patented process 
for better grip. 

No. 3=0. Each, 50c. 



"Axletree" Bat 

Spalding's Burnt End 
"Axletree" Bat, 
finest straight grained 
ash, improved models. 

No, OX. Each, 35c. 



Send for Spalding's handsomely illustrated catalogue of all sports 



A. G. SPALDING & BROS. 

New York Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

St. Louis Boston Buffalo Baltimore 

Denver Minneapolis Kansas City Montreal, Can. 

London, England 



SPALDING'S 

Trade = Mark 

Bats 

Willow Bat 

Spalding's Black End 
Willow Bat, highly 
finished and polished, 
and strongest light 
wood bat made. 

No. 4, Each, 25c. 



"Antique" Bat 

Spalding's Burnt End 
"Antique" Finish Bat, 
extra quality ash. 

N0.2X. Each, 25c. 



Send for Spalding's handsomely illustrated 



A. G. SPALDING &, BROS 

New York Chicago Philadelphia 

bt. Louis Boston Buffalo 

Denver Minneapolis Kansas City 

London, England 




I 



f 



¥ 



No. 3X No. 2XB No. 10 



SEND FOR SPALDING'S 
HANDSOMELY ILLUS- 
TRATED CATALOGUE. 
MAILED FREE TO ANY 
ADDRESS 




Junior League 

Spalding's Burnt End 
Junior League Bat, 
extra quality ash ; 
lengths 30 and 32 in. 



Black End Bat 

Spalding's Black End 
Boys' Bat, selected 
ash, polished and var- 
nished; length 30 in. 

N0.2XB. fOc. 



Boys' FavoHie 

Spalding's Boys' Fa- 
vorite Ash Bat; length 
30 inches. 

NOm lOm Each, 5Cm 



A. G. SPALDING & BROS. 



New York Chicago Philadelphia 

St. Louis Boston Buffalo 

Denver Minneapolis Kansas City 

London, England 



San Francisco 
Baltimore 
Montreal, Can. 




Spalding's No. 3X Fielders' Mitt 

Made of the very best 
and softest light tanned 
buckskin; the thu mb 
and at wrist is extra well 
padded, laced thumb. 

Our highest quality 
Fielders' Mitt, the finest 
procurable and of the 
best workmanship. 
None better made for the purpose. 

No. 3X. Fielders' Mitt. Each, $2.50 
Spalding's No. 4X Fielders' Mitt 

Style much improved; 
made of specially tanned 
green leather, well pad- 
ded with fme felt and 
carefully sewed and fin- 
ished ; laced thumb ; 
strap - and - buckle fas- 
tening at back. 

No. 4X. Fielders' Mitt. Each, $1.50 

A. G. SPALDBNG & BROS. 

New York Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

St. Louis Boston Buffalo Baltimore 

Denver Minneapolis Kansas City Montreal, Can. 

London, Englan<l 





Spalding's No. 5X Fielders' Mitt 

An exceedingly good mitt 
at a popular price; the face 
made of light tanned buck- 
skin, brown leather back; 
laced thumb; constructed 
throughout in a most sub- 
stantial manner. 

No» 5X. Each, $tm 

Spalding's No. 6X Boys' Fielders' Mitt 

A good substantial mitt 
for boys; made throughout 
of a good quality brown 
cape leather; well padded 
and laced thumb, and with- 
out doubt the best mitt of the 
kind ever sold at the price. 

No. 6X. Each, 50c» 
Spalding's No. 7X Boys' Fielders' Mitt 

Made of good quality red leather, well padded 
and substantially made. 

No. 7X. Each, 25c. 




A. C. SPALDING & BROS. 



New York 
St. Louis 
Denver 



Chicago Philadelphia 

Boston Buffalo 

Minneapolis Kansas City 

London, England 



San Francisco 
Baltimore 
Montreal, Can. 



Spalding's Inflated Body Protectors 

This is the only prac- 
tical device for the 
protection of catchers 
and umpires. The 
styles listed below are 
made of the best rub- 
ber, inflated with air; 
light and pliable, and 
do not interfere with 
the movements of the 
wearer under any 
conditions. When 
not in use the air may 
be let out and the 
protector rolled in a 

very small space. 
Particular attention is 
called to our Boys' Protector, the price of which 
is now only $2.00, placing it within reach of all. 
No. O. League Catchers' Protector. $5.00 
No. I - Amateur Catchers' Protector. 3.50 

No. 2. Boys' Catchers' Protector. 2.00 

Spalding's Pitcher's Box Plates 

Made in accordance 
with National League 
regulations a n d of 
extra quality white 
rubber. Complete 

with pins. 
No. 3. Each, $6.00 





A. G. SPALDING & BROS. 

New York Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

St. Louis Boston Buffalo Balttmore 

Denver Minneapolis Kansas City Montreal, Can. 

London, England 




m^ 



Kttiform 
mc, 

HIGHEST GRADE MADE 



The workmanship and material of this outfit is of the very 
highest quality throughout, and special care has been taken 
to make this uniform superior to anything offered in this 
line. Used exclusively by all league and professional clubs 
for years past is sufficient evidence of its quality and dura- 
bility. Colors: White, Pearl Gray, Yale Gray, Light Gray, 
Black, Maroon, Royal Blue, Navy Blue, Brown, Green. 



THE SPALDING UNIFORM No. 
COMPLETE $15.60 



O 



CONSISTING OF 



The Spalding Shirt, any style 
The Spalding Pants, any style 
The Spalding Stockings, No. 3-0 
The Spalding Cap, any style 
The Spalding Web Belt, leather lined 



NET PRICE TO CLUBS ORDERING 
FOR ENTIRE TEAM .• .• .• Per Suit, 



$12.5 



No Extra Charge For Lettering Shirts 
With Name of Club 

DETACHABLE SLEEVES, 25 CENTS EACH SHIRT EXTRA 



A. C. SPALDING & BROS. 

New York Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

St. Louis Boston Buffalo Baltimore 

Denver Minneapolis Kansas City Montreal, Can. 

London, England 



Knitier0itt) 

Knifdtm 

IliJ. 1 




In workmanship and quality of material our Uni- 
versity Uniform No. I is equal to our No. O Uni- 
form; good weight flannel. Colors: White, Pearl 
Gray, Yale Gray, Light Gray, Black, Maroon, 
Royal Blue, Navy Blue, Brown, Green. 

THE UNIVERSITY UNIFORM No. i 
COMPLETE $12.50 

CONSISTING OF 

University Shirt, any style 
Univeesity Pants, any style 
University Stockings, all wool. No. IR 
University Cap, any style 
University Web Belt, or all leather 



NET PRICE TO CLUBS ORDERING 
FOR ENTIRE TEAfl / .• Per Suit 



it, vpio. 



oo 



No Extra Charge For Lettering Shirts 
With Name of Club 



DETACHABLE SLEEVES, 25 CENTS EACH SHIRT EXTRA 



A. G. SPALDING & BROS. 

New York Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

St. Louis Boston Buffalo Baltimore 

Denver Minneapolis Kansas City Montreal, Can. 

London, England 




^\^t 



a0tic 
mo. 2 



Made of same grade of material as our higher priced uni- 
forms, but of lighter weight flannel. Substantially made 
and a most serviceable outfit. Colors: White, Pearl Gray, 
Yale Gray, Light Gray, Black, Maroon, Royal Blue, Navy 
Blue, Brown, Green. This is one of our most popular suits 
and will give the best of satisfaction. Can usually be worn 
two seasons. 



THE INTERSCHOLASTIC 
COMPLETE $9.65 



No. 



COSISTING OF 

Interscholastic Shirt, any style 
Interscholastic Pants, arty style 
Interscholastic Wool Stockings, No. 2R 
Interscholastic Quality Cap, any style 
Interscholastic Web Belt 



NET PRICE TO CLUBS ORDERING 
FOR ENTIRE TEAM .• • Per Suit 



: $8.00 



No Extra Charge For Lettering Shirts 
With Name of Club 

DETACHABLE SLEEVES, 25 CENTS EACH SHIRT EXTRA 



A. G. SPALDING & BROS. 

New York Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

St. Louis Boston Buffalo Baltimore 

Denver Minneapolis Kansas City Montreal, Can. 

London, England 







Made of special quality material and in workman- 
ship is equal to our Spalding No. O, and University 
Uniform No. i. Colors: White, Pearl Gray, Yale 
Gray, Light Gray, Black, Maroon, Royal Blue, 
Navy Blue, Brown, Green, 

THE SPALDING UNION No. iX 
COMPLETE $8.50 

CONSISTING OF 

The Spalding Union Shirt, any style 

The Spalding Union Pants, any etyle 

The Spalding Union Wool Stockings, No. 2R 

The Spalding Union Cap, any style 

The Spalding Union Web Belt 



NET 
FOR 



PRICE TO CLUBS ORDERING 
ENTIRE TEAM .• / Per Suit 



it, ^7.00 



No Extra Charge For Lettering Shirts 
With Name of Club 



DETACHABLE SLEEVES, 25 CENTS EACH SHIRT EXTRA 



A. G. SPALDING & BROS. 



New York 
St. Louis 
Denver 



Chicago Philadelphia 

Boston Buffalo 

Minneapolis Kansas City 

London, England 



San Francisco 
Baltimore 
Montreal, Can. 




illf 



^(uiform 



V __..,4^ 



Made of good (jUrtlity lluiuul in :i variety of very desirable 
piUterus. Well Jinislied ami a most exiellcut outfit for 
amah'ur tliilts. Colors: Wliilr, I'carl dray, \'ali> (Irav, 
l.ijdit Cray. lUack, Maroon, Koyal lUiir, Navy Hiiir, 
l!ro\vi». A most dt-sirahle yoiiiij.; men's sail. l';U'^ai\lly 
made, and of ^^otnl, strong, handst)im' material, (hi exactly 
same patterns as the League suits. 

C1AI15 SPECIAL UNIFORM No. 3 
COMPLETE, $7.00 

coNsisriNi; oi' 

Club Spriiiil Shirt, any slylr. 

Clul) Sptriid Pauls, nuy style. 

Clul) S|,r,ial All Wool Stockiugs No. ;iU. 

V\\\h Spfi i.il Cap, any style. 

flul. Spr, i.il Wcl. r.flt. 

NMT I'klCl': TO ClAJHS OKDKRlNc; d^ 

KOK I-:NTIRK TKAfl •• .• .• IVrsuii, ^ P 5 * 5 

No I'.xiKA CiiAKUic For I.h itkk-ini; Shikts 
^\'^^n Namk ok C'l.iui 

DETACllAHLK SI.EKVES 25 CENTS EACH SHIRT EXTKA 



A. C. SPALDING & BROS. 



Nrw Vpik 

St. l.ouia 
l)euvcr 



rhiiago ri.il.ulrlpl.i.l 

ISoston lUillulu 

Miunc&polis KausasCity 

I^oudoii, Kuglaiul 



S.iu Kinutisro 
It.iltiuuxc 
Moulrcal, Ciiu 



(Jilt (,; 

;Aiuntcur 

^(nifoim 
mo.4 




-J / 

Mmlc of fM)()il (jiiiilil y lliinii(-| and i i<iii|>iii c;) (iivoi iihly willi 
iiiiiloiiiis of other iiiak«TH «jin»(r:il lit II much hij^hc-r piirr. 
An excellent wearing unifoiin, i;ii|; and linihluMt um w<-II ar> 
our higher-priced KiiilH. y/r.ty i»oj)iiliir wilh iIm^ yomi^Mi 
I. a-.f hull players. Colors: While, lAyhlihuy, Ulu'-riray, 
Mrown Mix. Maioon, Navy lUiio, Green. 

AMA'IiaJK SIM':CIAL IJNIP'OklVI 

No. 4 

COMPLETE, $5.00 

NKT I'KK.K 'I'o CI.IIIJS OKDKKIN*; d" 

KOR IZNTIRIZ THAH .• .• TcrMni, /p^'OO 

( ONhlHIINi; Ol' 

Atiiulfiur Spff iiil Shin, miy (»iyl« 
Aiiiul»Tiir S|)r< iul I'uiilfcj |(ii<lilr<l 
Aiiialniir S|<c< iul Sloi loiit^h, No, -IK 
Aiiialriir Spri iid (.ap, hlylrs^l uikI fi ..iily 
Aiiial«tiirSpc( Jul WrI) l!.|i 

No KXTMA CllAKOK I'OK [,l'l IMKINO SiMK'IH 
Willi NaMK OI' Cl.DIt 

ni'.TA( iiAiM.r. M.KKVi:;;, 2n cknts katii miii^'I' kxii'A 
A. C. SPALDING dc BROS. 

New VorU Clil< mjo I'liila-l'-lplilu Sun I'Vhii. is. <- 

St. Louis Uoi>i'»ii Uiilfal.* HnUiinorn 

Denver Miiinoapothi KurmuK City Montrtal, Cun. 

London, England 




Jutiwr 



This uniform is expressly made for clubs composed of boys 

and youths, and will stand the hardest kind of wear. 

Made and trimmed in first-class style. Colors : Maroon, 

Green, Blue Gray, Brown Mix, 

SPALDING JUNIOR UNIFORM 

No. 5 

COMPLETE, $4.00 

CONSISTING OF 

The Spalding Junior Shirt, any style 

The Spalding Junior Pants, padded 

The Spalding Junior Cap, styles 21 and 5 only 

The Spalding Junior Belt 

The Spalding Junior Stockings 



xNET PRICE TO CLUBS ORDER 
NINE OR nORE UNIFORHS. Per 



^iNG 0; 

Suit, ^ ^ 



OO 



No Extra Charge for Lettering Shirts 
With Name of Club 

DETACHABLE SLEEVES 25 CENTS EACH SHIRT EXTRA 



A. G. SPALDING & BROS. 

New York Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

St. Louis Boston Buffalo Baltimore 

Denver Minneapolis Kansas City Montreal, Can 
London, England 



1lnt|*brm 
mo. 6 




The price at which we are selling this uniform should 

make it extremely popular. Material is good quality 

and uniform is very well made. Colors: Gray, Tan 

and Maroon. 



SPALDING YOUTHS' UNIFORM 

No. 6 

COMPLETE. $^75 

CONSISTING OF 

The Spalding Youths' Shirt, button front, 

with one felt letter only 
The Spalding Youths' Pants padded 
The Spalding Youths' Stockings 
The Spalding Youths' Cap, style 21 
The Spalding Youths' Belt 



NET PRICE TO CLUBS ORDERING 
NINE OR nORE UNIFORflS. Per sui 



it. ^^I.5o 



A. G. SPALDING & BROS. 

New York Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

St. Louis Boston Buffalo Baltimore 

Denver Minneapolis Kansas City Montreal, Can. 

London, England 

> te : 



Spalding's Base Ball Shirts 




^^m/t 



Detachable sleeves, 
25 pents each shirt extra 




G-i 




The Spalding Shirt, any 
Style, lettered with 
name of club. 

Each, $6.00 

''University" Shirt, any 
Style, lettered with 
name of club. 

Each, $5.00 

' ' Interscholastic " Shirt, 
any Style, lettered 
with name of club. 

Each, $4.00 

"Union" Shirt, any Style, 
lettered with name of 
club. . . Each, $3.50 

"Club Special" Shirt, 
any Style, lettered 
with name of club. 

Each, $2,75 

"Amateur Special' Shirt, 
any Style, lettered 
with name of club. 

Each, $2.00 

"Junior" Shirt, any Style, 
lettered with name of 
club.. . Each, $1.50 

"Youths'" Shirt, button 
front, one letter on 
front only. Each, $ 1 .00 



New York 
St. Louis 
Denver 



A. G. SPALDING & BROS. 

ChicasTO Philadelphia San Francisco 

Boston Buffalo . Baltimore 

Minneapolis Kansas City Montreal, Can. 

London, England 



Spalding's Base Ball Pants 






The Spalding Pants, any 

Style. 

Per pair, $6.00 

' ' University " Pants, any 
Style. 
Per pair, $5.00 

'Mnterscholastic" Pants, any 
Style. 
Per pair, $3.75 



^ ^1^ \Pm^ "Union" Pants, any Style. 
ELASTIC BOTTOM Per pair, $3.00 

"Club Special" Pants, any 

Style. 

Per pair, $2.75 

Pants, 



New York 
St. Louis 
Denver 






TAPE BOTTOn 

Complete Catalogue of Athletic Sports 
Mailed PVee on Application. 

A. C. SPALDING & BROS. 

Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

Boston Buffalo Baltimore 

Minneapolis Kansas City Montreal, Can. 

London, England 



' Amateur Special 
any Style. 
Per pair, $2.00 

Junior" Pants, any Style. 
Per pair, $1.50 

Youths'" Pants, 
Style. 
Per pair, $1.25 



any 



SPALDING'S BASE BALL CAPS 

Our line of caps is unequaled for quality, style and workmanship. We make 
them in eight different grades and the various styles in qualities only as indi- 
cated under each cut. When ordering, be sure and state Style Number, Size, 
Quality and Color. 



^^^^^,^i 



No. 5— Chicago Style. Made in 0, 1st, 2d, IX, 3d, 
4th and 5th qualities. 




No 23— Ln vcr t> '^ }lc "M e 

and 3d qualities only. 



1. IX 




No. 15 -Philadelphia Style. Stitched Visor. Made 
in 0, 1st, 2d, IX and 3d qualities only. 



Quality. White.Pearl 
Gray, Yale Gray, Light 
Gray, Black, Maroon, 
Royal Blue, Navy Blue, 
Brown, Green. 

Each, $1.00 O 

1st Quality. White, 
Pearl Gray, Yale Gray, 
Light Gray, Black, Ma- 
roon, Royal Blue, Navy 
Blue, Brown, Green. 
Each, 90c. 

2d Quality. White, 
Pearl Gray, Yale Gray 
Light Gray, Black, Ma- 
roon, Royal Blue, Navy 
Blue, Brown, Green. 
Each, 80c. 

IX Quality. White 
Pearl Gray, Yale Gray, 
Light Gray, Black, Ma- 
roon, Royal Blue, Navy 
Blue, Brown, Green. 
Each, 70c. 

3d Quality. White 
Pearl Gray, Yale Gray, 
Light Gray, Black, Ma 
roon. Royal Blue, Navy 
Blue, Brown. 

Each, 60c. 

4th Quality White, 

Light Gray, Blue Gray, 

Brown Mix, Dark Gray 

Each, 50c. 

5th Quality. Maroon, 
Green, Blue, Gray, 
Brown Mix. 

Each, 25c. 

6th Quality. Gray 

Tan and Maroon. 
Each, 25c. 



A. G. SPALDING <St BROS. 

New York v Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

St. Louis Boston Buffalo Baltimore 

Denver Minneapolis Kansas City Montreal, Can. 

London, England 



SPALDING'S BASE BALL CAPS 

Our line of caps 5s unequaled for quality, style and workmanship. We make 
them in eight different grades and the various styles in qualities only as indi- 
cated under each cut. When ordering, be sure and state Style Number, Size, 
Quality and Color. 



Quality. White,Pearl 
Gray, Yale Gray, Light 
Gray, Black, Maroon, 
Royal Blue, Navy Blue, 
Brown, Green. 

Each, $1.00 

1st Quality. White, 
Pearl Gray, Yale Gray, 
Light Gray, Black, Ma- 
roon, Royal Blue, Navy 
Blue, Brown, Green. 
Each, 90c. 

2d Quality. White, 
Pearl Gray, Yale Gray, 
Light Gray, Black, Ma- 
roon, Royal Blue, Navy 
Blue, Brown, Green. 
Each, 80c. 

IX Quality. White, 
Pearl Gray, Yale Gray, 
Light Gray, Black, Ma- 
roon, Royal Blue, Navy 
Blue, Brown, Green. 
Each, 70Co 

3d Quality. White, 
Pearl Gray, Yale Gray, 
Light Gray, Black, Ma- 
roon, Royal Blue, Navy 
Blue, Brown. 

Each, 60c. 

4th Quality White, 

Light Gray, Blue Gray, 

Brown Mix, Dark Gray. 

Each, 50c. 

5th Quality. Maroon, 
Green, Blue, Gray, 
Brown Mix. 

Each, 25c. 

6th Quality. Gray, 

Tan and Maroon. 
Each, 25c. 




No. 21— College Style. Made in all qualities. 




No. 25— Boston Style. Made in 0, 1st, 2d, IX and 3d 
qualities. 




No. 17— Brooklyn Style. Made in 0, 1st, 2d, IX and 
3d qualities only. 



New York 
St. Louis 
Denver 



A. G. SPALDING Sl BROS. 

Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 



Boston 
Minneapolis 



Buffalo 
Kansas City 



Baltimore 
Montreal, Can. 



London, England 



Spalding's Worsted Web Belts 




No. 3-0. Special League Belt, 1V2 inches wide, leather 
lined, large nickel-plated buckle. . . Eacli, 85c. 




No. 2=0. 2/4 inches wide, large nickel plated buckle. 60c, 




No. 47. 2/4 inches wide, leather covered buckle. 



50c. 



Colors— No. A, Red; No. E, Blue; No. C, Navy 

Blue; No. D, Brown; No. E, Black; No. F, White; 

No. J, Maroon; No. K, Old Gold. 

Send for Spalding' s illustrated catalogue of sports. Mailed 
free to any address. 



A. G. SPALDING & BROS. 



New York 
St. Louis 
Denver 



Chicago Philadelphia 

Boston Buffalo 

Minneapolis Kansas City 

London, England 



San Francisco 
Baltimore 
Montreal, Can. 



Spalding's Worsted Web Belts 




No. 2. iVi inches wide, double strap, leather 
covered buckles. . . , Each, 50c. 




No. 801, Leather, iK inch, tan or black, 
nickel-plated harness buckle, wrlh protecting 
flap. ..... Each, 50^. 

Colors— No. A, Red; No. B, Blue; No. C. Navy Blue; 
No. D, Brown; No. E, Black; No. F, White; No. J, Ma- 
roon; No. K, Old Gold. 



Send for Spalding s handso?nely illustrated catalogue of 
Spring and Summer Sports. Mailed free to any 

address. 



A. G. SPALDING & BROS. 

New York Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

St. Louis Boston Buffalo Baltimore 

Denver Minneapolis Kansas City Montreal, Can. 

London, England 



Spalding's Cotton Web Belts 




Cotton Web Belt, 2.Y2 inches wide, leather mounted, single 
strap and buckle. 

No. 4. Each, 25c. 

No. 5. Cotton Belt. Each, lOc. 




Cotton Web Belt, Q.Vz inches wide, double strap, nickel 
buckle. 

No. 23. Each, 30c. 

Colors— No. L, Red; No. M, Blue; No. Q, White; No. T, 

Maroon ; No. V, Navy Blue. 

Send for Spalding's handsomely illustrated catalogue of 

Spring and Sti?ntner Sports. Mailed free to any 

addi-ess. 



A. G. SPALDING & BROS. 

New York Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

St. Louis Boston Buffalo Baltimore 

Denver Minneapolis Kansas City Montreal, Can. 

London, England 



Spalding's Bat Bag 




Spalding's Canvas Bat Bag, made of heavy 

waterproof canvas, leather reinforced at ends; 

will hold 12 bats. 

No. 2. Each, $3.00 

Same as above; to hold 6 bats. 

No. 3. Each, $1.75 



Individual Bat Bags 




Spalding's Sole Leather Bat Bag, for two bats; 

used by all League players. 

No. Ol. Each, $3.00 

Heavy waterproof canvas, leather cap at both 

ends. 

No. 02. Each, $1.25 

Heavy canvas, leather cap at one end. 

No. 03. Each, 80c. 

A. G. SPALDING & BROS. 

New York Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

St. Louis Boston Buffalo _ Baltimore 

Denver Minneapolis Kansas City Montreal, Can. 

London, England 




No. 3-0 



SPALDING'S 
BASE BALL 
STOCKINGS 



Our "Highest" Quality" 
Stockings are superior to 
anything ever offered for 
athletic wear, and combine 
all the essentials of a per- 
fect stocking. They are 
all wool, have white feet, 
are heavy ribbed, full fash- 
ioned, hug the leg closely 
but comfortably, and are 
very durable. The weav- 
ing is of an e'xclusive and 
unusually handsome design 



No. 3=0. 



Plain colors, white 
feet. . . Per pair, 



$1.50 



(Colors : Black, Navy and Maroon. Other colors to 
order only ; prices on application.) 



No. 3-OS. I 



Striped, white feet,. 

made to order only, 

ny color. Per pair, 



$1.75 



A. G. SPALDING &. BROS. 

New York Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

St. Louis Boston Buffalo Baltimore 

Denver Minneapolis Kansas City Montreal, Can. 

London, England 



SPALDING'S 
BASE BALL 
STOCKINGS 



STRIPED, RIBBED 

Best quality, all wool ; 
stripes 2 -inch alternate. 
Colors: Scarlet and Black, 
Navy and Red, Orange 
and Black, Maroon and 
White, Royal Blue and 
White, Royal Blue and 
Black, Navy and White. 
Other colors to order only; 
prices on applicatiori. 




No. IRS. Heavy weight. 
No. 2R5. Medium weight. 
No. 3RS. Good weight. 



Per pair, $1.35 

1.10 

.80 



PLAIN COLORS 



No. IR. Heavy weight, all wool. Per pair, $1.00 

No. 2R. Medium weight, all wool. " ,80 

No. 3R. - Good weight, wool legs, cotton feet .60. 

No. 4R. Cotton. ..... Per pair, .25 

Colors: Black, Navy, Maroon, Royal Blue and Scarlet. 



A. G. SPALDING & BROS. 

New York Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

St. Louis Boston Buffalo Baltimore 

Denver Minneapolis Kansas City , Montreal, Can. 

London, England 




The Spalding 
Highest Quality 
Base Ball Shoe 



No. 2-0 
Highest Quality 



$7.50 



Our "Highest Quality" Base Ball Shoe is hand made throughout 
and of specially selected kangaroo leather. Extreme care is taken 
in its general construction, aud no pains or expense spared in making 
this shoe not only of the very highest in quality, but a perfect shoe 
in every detail. The plates, made exclusively for this shoe, are of 
the finest hand forged razor steel and firmly riveted to heel and sole. 



A special new light weight weight razor steel hand 
forged plate used on all our best grade shoes. 



A. G. SPALDING Sl BROS. 



New York 
St. Louis 
Denver 



Chicago 

Boston 

Minneapolis 



Philadelphia 
Buffalo 
Kansas City 



London, England 



San Francisco 
Baltimore 
Montreal, Can. 




The 

Spalding 

Sprinting 

Shoe 



Same quality as our No. 2-0 shoe, but built on our famous run- 
ning shoe last. Weigh about eighteen ounces to the pair and 
made with extra care throughout. 

No. 3-OS. Per pair, $8.00 



The Spalding 

Club Special 

Shoe 




Made of specially selected satin calfskin, machine sewed, very 
substantially constructed, and a first-class shoe in every par- 
ticular. Steel plates riveted to heel and sole. 

No. 33. Per pair, $5,00 

Send for handsomely illustrated catalogue of sports 



A. G. SPALDING & BROS. 

New York Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

St. Louis Boston Buffalo Baltimore 

Denver Minneapolis Kansas City Montreal, Can. 

London, England 



The 

Spalding 

Amateur 

Special 

Shoe 



Made of good quality calfskin, machine sewed; a serviceable 

and durable sh-oe, and one we can specially recommend. Plates 

riveted to heel and sole. 

No. 35. Per pair, $3.50 




': The Spalding 
1^0. 37 Base Ball 
Shoe 




A leather shoe, complete with plates. We guarantee this shoe 
to be good for the price, but do not guarantee it beyond that. 

No. 37. Per pair, $2.00 

Send for Spalding's handsomely illustrated catalogue of sports 



A. G. SPALDING & BROS. 

New York Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

St. Louis Boston r)uffalo Baltimore 

Denver Minneapolis Kansas City : Montreal, Can. 

London, England 



Spalding's 
Beveled Edge Shoe Plates 
Razor Steel 





No. 3-0. Toe Plates. 
No. 4-0. Heel Plates. 



Per pair, 50c. 
50c. 



Spalding's 




League Plates 

Steel specially hardened, 
sharpened edges. 




No. O. 
No. 2-0. 



Toe Plates. 
Heel Plates. 



Per pair, 25c. 
25c. 



A. C. SPALDING & BROS. 



New York 
St. Louis 
Denver 



Chicago Philadelphia 

Boston Buffalo 

Minneapolis Kansas City 

London, England 



San Francisco I 
Baltimore 
Montreal, Can. 



Professional 5hoe Plates 




Toe Heel 

BEST aUALITY STEEL 

No. I. Toe Plates Per pair, lOc. 

No. IH, Heel Plates. ... ** lOc. 

Spalding's Pitcher's Toe Plate 




Worn on the toe and affords a thorough protec- 
tion to the shoe, and at the same time a most 
valuable assistant in pitching. Made for right 
or left shoe. Used by all professionals. 

No. A. Aluminum Each, 50c- 

No. B. Brass '' 25c, 



A. G. SPALDING & BROS. 



New York 
St. Louis 
Denver 



Chicago Philadelphia 

Boston Buffalo 

Minneapolis Kansas City 

London, England 



San Francisco 
Baltimore 
Montreal, Can. 



Spalding's Uniform Bags 




The convenient packing of uniforms in a man- 
ner that will not wrinkle and soil same, and to 
be easily carried, is an important item to every 
player. We have designed a roll or bag which 
answers all requirements. It is substantially 
made, very durable, and has separate compart- 
ments for shoes, etc. 

No. I . Best canvas. Each, $2.50 

No. 2. Fine Bag Leather. " 5.00 

Spalding's Scoring Tablet 



WX^ 





VISITIN& 
CLUB 



SPALDINGS SCORING TABLET 



*^~ 



A simple, 
convenient and 
accurate device 
for the record 
of runs and 
outs. It is made 
of celluloid 



and can be carried in any vest pocket. 
No. I . Each, 35c. 



A. G. SPALDING & BROS. 



New York 
St. Louis 
Denver 



Chicago Philadelphia 

Boston Buffalo 

Minneapolis Kansas City 

London, England 



San Francisco 
Baltimore 
Montreal, Can. 



Spalding's Bases 

Complete with straps and spikes. Three bases 
to a set. 




League Club Bases, extra quality canvas, quilted. 

No. O. Per set, $6.00 

Canvas Bases, well made, not quilted. 

No. I - Per set, $4.50 

Canvas Bases, ordinary quality. 

No. 2. Per set, $3.00 

Spalding's Umpire Indicator 



Made of celluloid; exact size, 3x1% inches. 

Endorsed and used by all League umpires. 

No. O. Each, 50c. 

A. G. SPALDING & BROS. 

New York Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

St. Louis Boston Buffalo Baltimore 

Denver Minneapolis Kansas City Montreal, Can. 

London, England 



Spalding's Home Plates 

Our new style Rubber 

Home Plate is made in ac- 

^cordance with National 

Jnir League regulations and of 
I extra quality white rub- 
■ ber. Complete, with pins. 
f No. I . Each, $8.00 ' 




^^^:u^ 




Spalding's 
Boundary Plates 

for 

Batsman's Box 



Marks the four inside 
corners of the batsman's 
box. Made of extra qual- 
ity white rubber. In ad- 
dition to being a guide for the umpire in keeping 
the batsman within his box, it greatly assists him 
in his decisions on balls and strikes. Four cor- 
ners, complete, with pins. 

No. 5. Boundary Plates. Per set, SIO.OO 
A. G. SPALDING 3l BROS. 

New York Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

St. Louis Boston Buffalo Baltimore 

Denver Minneapolis Kansas City Montreal, Can. 

London, ^i^ngland 




The Spalding '' Official " Basket Ball 



Officially adopted 
and must be used 
in all i?i a tc h 
games. The cover 
is made in eight 
sections, with 
capless ends and 
of the finest and 
most carefully se- 
lected pebble 
grain leather. The 
bladder is made 
specially for this 
ball of extra quality 
Para rubber. Each 
ball packed, com- 
plete, in sealed box, 
and guaranteed 
perfect in every 
detail. 

No. M. $5.00 




Extracts from Official Rule Book 

RULE II.— BALL 
Sec. 3. The_ball made by A. G. 
hall be the 



Bros. 



Spalding & 

official ball. 
Official balls 
will be stamp- 
ed as here- 
with, and will 
be in sealed 
boxes. 

Sec. 4. The official ball must be 
used in all match games. 

RULE III.— GOALS 
Sec. 3 The goal made by A. G. 
Spalding & Bros, shall be the 
official goal. 




Send for Catalogue of Athletic Sports. 
Mailed Free to any Address. 



A. G. SPALDING & BROS. 

Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

Boston Buffalo Baltimore 

Minneapolis Kansas City Montreal, Can. 

London, England 



New York 
St. Louis 
Denver 



Wright & Ditson 

LAJOIE BATS 

^■^am^^ \^ m WLmt PAT. APPLIED FOR 



Cut shows how to hold bat 
Nos. I,2and4 



When 
ord e r- 
n g a 
L a j o ie 
Bat by 
mail state 
length, and 
if light, me- 
dium or heavy 
weight desired 



Made under the personal super 
vision of Napoleon Lajoie, 
whose success as a batter lies 
in the fact that he grasps the 
bat well up on the handle, 
which gives him perfect 
control. The Lajoie Bat 
enables a player to meet 
the ball more accur- 
ately, and the special 
shoulder gives a per- 
fect balance and a 
better grip, thus 
ensuring more 
confiidence, 
which means 
better average 
and a higher 
salary. 

$ 



1.25 





Regular style, 

without shoulder; 

tape handle. $ I 

Each, . 



1.25 



The Lajoie Bats are made 

in four styles of the best 

models, and of the best ash. 



No. 1. 33^ in. Shoulder 3 in. 
from end 
No. 2. 34 in. Shoulder 3 in. 
from end. 
No. 3. 35 in. Shoulder 5 in. 
from end. 
Nc>. 4. 35 in. Shoulder 1| in. from 
end. 
No. 5. Regular Style, taped; without 
shoulder. 



any 

style 




Send for Catalogue 



Wright & Ditson, 

344 Washington Street, BoStOD, MBSS. 




SPALDING'S 

MODEL 

RACKETS 

Model A 

Beveled frame, combed mahog- 
any handle, polished mahogany 
throat piece. 

No. 14. Each, $7.00 

Model AA 

Extra large combed mahogany 

handle, polished mahogany 

throat piece, beveled frame. 

No. U\. Each, $7.00 



Hodel C 

Spliced cane handle, combed, 

extending through walnut 

throat piece, beveled frame. 

No. 13. Each, $7.50 



A. G. SPALDING & BROS. 

New York Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

St, Louis Boston Buffalo Baltimore 

Denver IMinneapoJis Kansas City Montreal, Can. 

London, England 



SPALDING'S 

TENNIS 

RACKETS 

Model CC 

Extra large spliced cane handle, 
combed, extending through wal- 
nut throat piece, beveled frame 

No. I3X. Each, $7.50 



Hodel D 

Beveled frame, combed mahog- 
any handle, polished mahogany 
throat piece. 

No. IS. Each, $7.00 



flodel DD 

Extra large combed mahogany 

handle, polished mahogany 

throat piece, beveled frame. 

No. ISX. Each, $7.00 



A. C. SPALDING 



New York 
St. Louis 



Chicago Philadelphia 

I'oston Buffalo 

Minneapolis Kansas City 

London, England 




BRO^ 



San Francisco 
Baltimore 
Montreal, Can. 




SPALDING'S 

TENNIS 
RACKETS 

The Tournament 

Modeled after design of promi- 
nent player. Finest white ash 
frame with mahogany throat 
piece and taped bow. Best 
white gut stringing, combed 
mahogany handle, leather cap- 
ped. Finished with high polish. 

No. M. Each, $6.00 
The Varsity 

A well made racket at a popular 
price. New model. Finely fin- 
ished white ash frame and ma- 
hogany throat piece. Strung 
with fine white gut. Combed 
mahogany handle, leather 
capped. 

No. to. Each, $5.00 
The Varsity— Cork 

Same as No. 10, but equipped 

with cork handle instead of 

combed mahogany handle. 

No. fOC. Each, $5.EO 



A. G. SPALDING & BROS. 

New York Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

St. Louis Boston Buffalo ~ Baltimore 

Denver Minneapolis Kansas City Montreal, Can. 

London, England 



SPALDING'S 

TENNIS 

RACKETS 



The Slocum 

Old model as popular as ever 
Frame of selected white ash, 
highly polished, fine quality 
main strings and red cross 
strings mahogany throat piece, 
combed mahogany handle, 
leather capped. 

No. 9. Each, $4.00 



Slocum Junior 

Old model and very popular. 
Frame of highly polished white 
ash with polished walnut throat 
piece combed mahogany handle, 
leather capped. Strung with all 
white fine quality gut. 

No. 8. Each, $3.00 



The Ocomo 

For ladies' use particularly. 
Frame of finest white ash with 
rounded edges. Taped bow and 
mahogany throat piece. String- 
ing of very best white gut. 
Combed mahogany handle, 
madp small for ladles' use, 
leather capped. Fine polish 
finish. 

No. 12. Each, $6.00 



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A. C. SPALDING & BROS. 




SPALDING'S 

TENNIS 

RACKETS 

The Vantage 

Improved model, frame of highly 
polished white ash, mahogany 
throat piace, fine quality white 
gut stringing, combed mahog- 
any handle, leather capped. 

No. 6. Each, $3.50 



The Favorite 

Approved model, frame of white 
ash, polished walnut throat 
piece, stringing of good quality 
gut, combed cedar handle, 
leather capped 

No. 2. Each, $I.OO 



The Greenwood 

Improved shape, frame of finely 
finished good white ash, polished 
mahogany throat piece, string- 
ing of good quality gut, combed 
mahogany handle, leather 
capped. 

No. 4. Each, $2.00 



SPALDING Sl BROS. 

Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

Hoston Buffalo Baltimore 

Minneapolis Kansas City Montreal, Can. 

London, England 



SPALDING'S 

TENNIS 

RACKETS 



The Lakeside 

An excellent racket, frame of 
finely finished white ash, pol- 
ished mahogany throat piece, 
stringing of fine quality white 
gut, combed mahogany handle, 
leather capped. 

No. 5. Each, $2.50 

Same as No. 5, but with larger 
handle. 

No. 5X. Each, $2.50 



The Geneva 

New shape of popular design, 
frame of white ash, finely fin- 
ished, polished walnut throat 
piece, good quality gut, combed 
cedar handle, leather capped. 

No. 3. Each, $f.50 



The Practice 

A good practice racket, frame 
of white ash with walnut throat 
piece and combed cedar handle, 
leather capped ; stringing of 
good quality gut. 

No. f. Each, 75c. 




A. G. SPALDING & BROS. 

New York Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

St. Louis Boston Buffalo Baltimore 

Denver Minneapolis Kansas City Montreal, Can. 

London, England 



SPALDING'S TENNIS BALLS 











CHAHPIONSHIP 

Absolutely perfection; regulation size and weight, finest quality 
felt cover. 

No. 00. Per doz., $4.00 
TOURNAHENT 

Uniform in quality and carefully constructed throughout. 
Regulation size and weight; fine felt cover. 

No. 0. Per doz., $3.00 
VANTAGE 

A good felt covered ball. 

No. 1. Per doz., $3.00 



A. G. SPALDING & BROS. 

New York Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

St. Louis Boston Buffalo Baltimore 

Denver Minneapolis Kansas City Montreal, Can. 

London, England 



iiMmmNmt^mi^^ 



Spalding's Rome Cibrary 



Devoted to Gaines and Amusements for the Home Circle 



Piquet 

Go-Bang 

Games of Patience 

Children's Games 

Cribbage 

Drawing Room Games 

Group of Card Games 

Children's Games 

Group of Card Games 

Drawing Room Games 

Group of Card Games 

Children's Games 

Skat 

Drawing Room Games 

Baccarat 



PRICE TEN CENTS PER COPY 
Published by 

Jlinerfcan Spom PuWisbmg go. 



J Chess 


16 


2 Whist 


J7 


3 Dominoes and Dice 


J8 


4 Poker 


19 


5 Backgammon 


20 


6 Euchre 


21 


7 Billiards 


22 


8 Ecarte 


23 


9 Checkers 


24 


JO Bezique 


25 


U Pool 


26 


J2 Pinochle 


27 


J3 Lotto 


28 


H Hearts 


29 


J5 Rcversi 


30 



16-18 PARK PLACE 



NEW YORK 



'AW^?fMWWf^mwf^m^mAmmmmmN^mmmm 




tM^^^^r^^^fTu^^^ra^^P^P^J'^^'af^P^^^^^fruW^M^M'mfni^^F^i^^^M'^'jf.'aJru^^^'iiMiuntf^^^P^^^t^- 



1bow about l^our Bat? 




If you have an old 
batthatisjust right, 
or a broken bat that 
you wish dupli- 
cated, send it to us 
and we will make you an ex- 
act duplicate at the regular 
price of $1 00 each. We will 
keep the model of your bat at 
our factory, so that you can 
re-order at any time. Our 
highest quality bats are made 
from the very best selected 
second growth white ash, 
grown on high land and 
under no circumstances do 
we use swamp or lowland 
ash in these bats. 



Our bats are made under the supervision of Jack Pickett who 
has been identified with base ball for the past sixleen years, 
having played with the National, Eastern and Western Leagues. 
Mr. Pickett is undoubtedly one of the best judges of base ball bats 
in the country and is thoroughly familiar with the players' wants. 
Catalogue of A thletic Sp07-ts free 



A. Q SPALDING & BROS. 



New York 
Boston 
St. Louis 



Chicago 

Baltimore 

Minneapolis 

London, 



Philadelphia 
Buffalo 
Denver 
England 



San Francisco 
Kansas City 
Montreal, Can. 



fc«f»^^;ri^i^^'«^"^»rf"^'«^**^*-«'«^*^^*'**"^«^**'"^*j'^;'^'^^«'**«.<**»^"**»>»^'^^^>«'"^"^^ir» 




No. 



J-5 



THE SPALDING 

OFFICIAL 

INTER-COLLEfiUTE 
EOOT m 



$4.00 



We have spared no expense in making this ball perfect in every 
detail, and offer it as the finest foot ball ever produced. Each 
ball is thoroughly tested, packed in a separate bo.x and sealed, 
so that our customers are guaranteed a perfect ball inside when 
same is received with seal unbroken. A polished brass foot ball 
inflater and lacing needle will be packed with each Inter-Col- 
legiate foot ball without extra charge. The only ball used in all 
match games between the leading colleges. 

Used exclusively by all the leading universities, colleges and 
athletic associations in the United States and Canada. 



New York 
St. Louis 
Denver 



A. G. SPALDING & BROS. 

Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

Boston Buffalo Baltimore 

Minneapolis Kansas City Montreal, Can. 

London, England 



The Spalding Patent 
Striking Bag 



PATENTED 



$7,00 

$yo 



No. 19. Made of highest quality Patna kid. 
the lightest and strongest of leather, sewed 
with silk, double stitched and reinforced 
throughout. Especially suitable for exhibition 

work, and the fastest bag made 

No. 18. Made of finest selected Napa tanned 
leather, extra well made; double stitched, 
welted seams and reinforced throughout. For 
training purposes particularly this bag will be 
found extremely satisfactory in every respect. 
The "Fitzsimmons Special." , . . Each, 
No. 18S. Same as No. i8, but smaller 
in size and lighter. Intended for very speedy 

work Each, 

No. 20. Made of finest selected calfskin; 
double stitched, welted seams and reinforced 
throughout. Very fast, and will give excellent 
satisfaction. An ideal bag for gymnasium use. 
No. 12. Made of olive tanned leather, spe- 
cially selected; double stitched, welted seams 
and reinforced throughout. Excellent for 
quick work Each, 

EXTRA BLADDERS FOR 5TRIKINQ BAGS 

No. OS. Pure gum bladders for Nos. 18, 19 and 20 

bags. Guaranteed Each, $1.00 

No. OSX. Pure gum bladder for No. 18S 

bag. Guaranteed Each, $1.00 

No. 2.5. For No. 12 bag. Carefully tested, but not 
guaranteed. ..... Each, SOc. 



m 

$4,00 



A. C. SPALDING & BROS. 

New York Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

St. Louis Boston Buffalo Baltimore 

I^enver Minneapolis Kansas City Montreal, Can. 

London, England 



The Spalding Patent 
Striking 




This bag will swing true because it is built that way. It cannot 
make a false move, no matter how hard it is hit. No loop to inter- 
fere with rope, and the most certain in its action of any on the 
market. It is made with a lace running around the neck, like a 
draw-string. Inflate the bladder, drop the wooden ball into the 
o- .-ning at the top and pull the lace tight; then regulate the length 
ot the rope and fit bag to your platform. The Nos. 19, 20, 18, 18S 
and 12 bags listed on opposite page are all m?de on the same princi- 
T '•:■. Differences in quality of material, etc., are indicated. Each 
bap however, is most carefully inspected and then packed complete 
in box ^^■ith bLdder, lace, wooden ball and rope. 



Sfaldi fig's Jiandsojtiely illjisi.'ated catalogue of athletic goods 
viailed/ree to any address. 



A. G. SPALDING & BROS. 

New York Chicago Philadelphia 

St. Louis Boston Buffalo 

Denver Minneapolis Kansas City 

London, England 



San Francisco 
Balitmore 
Montreal, Can. 



APB 



10 \903 



Spaiaing Switiding Striking Bags 



No. 10. Made of 
specially tanned glove 
leather; double 
stitched, welted 
seams and reinforced 
throughout. A sub- 
stantial bag, well 
made in every parti- 
cular. Each, $3.00 

No. 17. Made of 
fme maroon tanned 
leather, well 
finished ; 
double stitch- 
ed, welted 
seams and 
reinforced 
throughout. 
A good all- 
around bag. 
Each, $2.50 




No. 16. Made of 

extra fme grain leather 

ned throughout and 

very well made. 

Each, . . $2.00 

No. 15. Made of 
fine olive tanned 
leather; welted 
seams and lined 

throughout. 
Each, . . . $1.50 



No. 14. Made 
of light russet 
tanned 
leather; lined 
throughout 
and well put 

together. 
Each, $1.00 



extra Bladders 

No. B. Bladders for Nos. 14 and 15 bags. . Each, 50c. 
No. 25. For Nos. 16, 17 and 10 bags. . . Each, 50c. 

The above bladders are carefully tested be/ore packing, 
but not otherwise guaranteed in any way. 



New York 
St. Louis 
Denver 



A. G. SPALDING & BROS. 

Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

Boston Buffalo Baltimore 

Minneapolis Kansas City Montreal, Can. 

London, England 



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